We're taking you beyond the barricade and sitting down with your favorite artists and music industry professionals to talk about their early days growing up as a music fan, the artists that had the biggest impact on them, and how that evolved into seeking out a career in the music industry themselves. We're telling fan stories, but this time from the other side of the barricade...
This week on Beyond the Barricade, Madi and Lor sit down with rising artist Ezra backstage before his Dallas show on the Braden Bales tour. With only minutes before taking the stage, Ezra opens up about his unconventional journey from Bronx freestyle rapper to alternative artist, the musical influences that shaped him, and why his debut album became the most personal project he has ever created.
Ezra shares the stories behind some of his most emotional songs, how performing deeply personal music has evolved from healing himself to helping others, and why connecting with fans has become the most rewarding part of touring. The conversation also dives into his friendship and creative partnership with Braden Bales, their upcoming Afterthought project, and why he believes genres matter less than making people feel something. If you're discovering Ezra for the first time, this is the perfect introduction to one of alternative music's most exciting new talents.
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16 Jun 2026
James Coffman’s Guide On Getting Into Touring Pt. 2
In part two of Madi and Lor’s conversation with James Coffman, the three dive even deeper into what it actually takes to build a career in the music industry as a creative and life on the road. James shares how genuine relationships opened doors for him to learn video, the story behind creating content for Slipknot and having his work turned into merch, and why saying “yes” to opportunities while preparing financially helped him finally make the leap into full time touring. The conversation unpacks everything from creative burnout and finding your visual style to why social media should be more about the artist than the person behind the camera. James also opens up about the realities of touring, the creatives currently inspiring him, and the mindset that has helped him go from local concert photographer to touring the world with some of the biggest names in alternative music. Packed with honest advice, behind the scenes stories, and the same no gatekeeping honesty from part one, this episode is a must listen for anyone dreaming of breaking into the touring world as a creative.
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Follow All Things Backing The Barricade:
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Follow Madi:
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https://www.instagram.com/lorealmichele/ (https://www.instagram.com/lorealmichele/)
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https://www.jamescoffmanmedia.com/ (https://www.jamescoffmanmedia.com/)
2 Jun 2026
James Coffman’s Guide On Getting Into Touring Pt. 1
In this first part of a two episode conversation, Madi and Lor are sitting down with their good friend and fellow concert photographer James Coffman for a conversation that feels equal parts origin story, industry deep dive, and blueprint for breaking into touring. James opens up about growing up as the resident emo kid in a small Texas town, how his brother shaped his early music taste, and why he originally thought he would become a musician before a chance encounter at a So What?! Music Fest documentary screening unexpectedly led to his first real photo pass. The three dive into the reality of building a career in live music, unpacking why “networking” feels disingenuous and what it actually looks like to build genuine community in an industry fueled by relationships. James shares how years in fraternities and corporate America unexpectedly prepared him for touring, why transparency and helping others matters more than gatekeeping, and how he approaches his work with intentional storytelling, creative growth, and a cinematic mindset, especially through his recent documentary style work with Counterparts. Whether you are dreaming of touring as a creative or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode is packed with honest insight, practical advice, and stories from someone who has truly earned his place in the industry.
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Follow All Things Backing The Barricade:
https://www.backingthebarricade.com/ (https://www.backingthebarricade.com/)
https://www.instagram.com/backingthebarricade/ (https://www.instagram.com/backingthebarricade/)
https://www.tiktok.com/@backingthebarricade (https://www.tiktok.com/@backingthebarricade)
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Follow Madi:
https://www.instagram.com/earthtomadison/ (https://www.instagram.com/earthtomadison/)
Follow Lor:
https://www.instagram.com/lorealmichele/ (https://www.instagram.com/lorealmichele/)
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Follow James Coffman:
https://www.instagram.com/jamescoffmanmedia/ (https://www.instagram.com/jamescoffmanmedia/)
https://www.jamescoffmanmedia.com/ (https://www.jamescoffmanmedia.com/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
50,053
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 66 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
62
Social presence
94
YouTube
76
Engagement
51
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