Courtney Emery is a NYC-based advertising account executive by day and newbie singer/songwriter by night. Her quirky, fun, relatable lyrics will give you all the feels of a John Hughes movie, packed into a 4-minute song.
Courtney is our #WCW because she exemplifies that all dreams are achievable with perseverance, dedication, and self-trust. Be on the lookout for this future superstar with a heart of gold.
1. What's your story? What makes you unique?
I think those are two brilliant questions to be back to back because none of our stories are really that original - I'm positive I am not the only twenty-something blonde girl with a guitar singing songs about life in her room - and yet, we are all inherently, wonderfully, unique.
2. What motivates you?
Hearing people listen to one of my songs and say "that's exactly how I feel." This kind of goes hand in hand with my answer to the first question but, I think life and growing up and pain can have a way of making us all feel very alone and listening to someone else tell a story we relate to can make us feel alone a little less. That's always the goal when I write a new song.
3. Who is a hero of yours?
As I was walking out of a bathroom last weekend a girl stopped me to tell me I had toilet paper on my shoe. I don't know where she is now but she is a hero and I hope she knows it.
4. Give us a road map of your career. How did you get to where you are today?
Well the whole music "career" part is still WIP.
By day I have an amazing job at an advertising agency in NYC called Sparks & Honey, and as far as music goes, my roadmap would go something along the lines of...
Chapter 1:
Read way too much Shel Silverstein and Calvin and Hobbes growing up, thus developing an early-onset love of words, wit, and whimsy.
Chapter 2:
Wrote a lot of terrible teen poetry inspired by angst, John Hughes movies, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Chapter 3:
Stole brother's guitar that he got as a Christmas gift one year.
Chapter 4:
Taught self to play fraudulent guitar.
Chapter 5:
Wrote less terrible poetry and put it to guitar.
Chapter 6:
Posted songs online for the world to see.
Chapter 7:
TBD. That's the fun part :)
5. What's your future plan? Your goals?
Hearing one of my songs on the radio or on a Spotify playlist would be a dream. Right now I'm working on getting some of my songs recorded, playing some live shows, and we'll see where things go from there. Trying to take it one day at a time.
6. If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?
Well to quote Meryl Streep quoting her friend, Princess Leia, "Take your broken heart, make it into art."
7. What is something you feel strongly about (a cause, belief, etc.)?
Each woman should have an unwavering understanding of how powerful, beautiful, and valuable she is.
8. What's one of the coolest things you've ever done?
One time I successfully pulled a particularly precarious Jenga piece. You kinda had to be there, but, trust me, it was cool.
9. Anything we haven't asked that you'd like to talk about.
I'm 100% confident that I wouldn't have had the guts to do any of this if it wasn't for the incredible support of my friends and family. Thank you all for making me feel like I have a voice and thank you all for listening to it. Mom and dad, thank you for loving me and teaching me to dream.
And a huge thanks to Meredith Dean for giving me this opportunity. :)
To listen to any of Emery's songs or find out when upcoming shows are, check out courtneyemery.com or follow her at @courtyspice12
If you would like to reach out to Courtney Emery for mentoring/networking opportunities, you can reach her HERE.
