Celebrating Emotion Is Dead: BRETT DETAR From THE JULIANA THEORY Reflects On The Impact And Future Of The Band

Interview by Angela Croudace
As The Juliana Theory prepares to celebrate the anniversary of their seminal album Emotion is Dead with a special Australian tour, frontman Brett Detar shares his thoughts on the album's creation, its unexpected impact, and what fans can expect in the future.
Looking back, Brett recalls the humble beginnings of the album, created when he was just 21. “We were five kids from a small town who recorded in a tiny converted garage studio,” he says. “We made the album for very little money, and to think that it has had such an enduring impact—people telling us they named their child after our band or got married to a song off the record—is humbling.” Reflecting on how time has passed, he adds, “It’s wild to think that more time has passed since Emotion is Dead was made than I had lived at that point.”
When it comes to the rapid rise to success the band experienced, Brett admits it was a gradual process. “We played local shows for a while, and then suddenly, after our first album Understand This as a Dream, we noticed the crowd size was doubling at venues. It was a shocking but exciting moment, but we were so young, we didn’t quite grasp how special it was,” he recalls.
The upcoming tour marks a full circle moment for The Juliana Theory, as they join forces with The Spill Canvas, another beloved band from their era. Brett recounts a unique experience from 2019 when the two bands toured together in an unexpected way. “We did a US tour, but we played as just an acoustic duo. That tour reignited our passion for making music together, and it led to new songs, new recordings, and ultimately, us signing to Equal Vision.”
Discussing the creation of Emotion is Dead, Brett explains the shift in the band’s approach after their first record. “We wanted to expand beyond just making a fast, poppy emo record. We wanted to experiment with longer songs, heavier sounds, and even throw in some Pink Floyd-inspired moments.” The album’s title, Emotion is Dead, came about in a joking conversation during the van ride, with Brett and the band brainstorming what would later become an iconic, yet tongue-in-cheek, statement about the genre.
Despite the album’s association with the “emo” label, Brett admits the band has never fully embraced the term. “At first, we thought it fit, but then it started feeling limiting. We’ve always tried to push boundaries and not just fit into one box.”
Bret neatly wrapped up his feelings, saying; “It feels special to see how much Emotion is Dead still means to people, and it’s even more exciting to bring new music into the mix."


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