You Had to Be There is a music industry podcast hosted by Julia Gomberg, featuring in-depth conversations with artists, executives, writers, producers, and creatives shaping the business. Through thoughtful interviews, each episode explores career paths, creative process, industry insight, and the behind-the-scenes moments that define a life in music.
Designed for music fans, aspiring industry professionals, and anyone curious about how the business really works, You Had to Be There gives guests a platform to share their journey, expertise, and advice — one conversation at a time.
You had to be there, but if you weren't, don't worry – we've got you covered.
Emily James on Turning Memories into Summer Nostalgia
Welcome to You Had to Be There, the podcast where we deep dive into the world of the music industry. I'm your host, Julia Gomberg.
This week, I'm wrapping up the season with the final episode (#4 before my short break, featuring singer-songwriter Emily James. Emily is an incredibly talented artist and storyteller, known for her emotionally honest songwriting, relatable lyrics, and intimate live performances. Earlier this summer, I had the chance to see her perform in Brooklyn and I was genuinely struck by the sense of community her songs have created among her fans. It made this conversation even more special.
Be sure to check out Emily's debut album, Summer Nostalgia, available now, and follow her journey through the links in the show notes. As for me, I'll be taking the month of August off to recharge and work on what's next for the podcast, but I'll still be sharing plenty of content on social media, so I'd love for you to follow along there.
As always, thank you so much for listening and I'll see you soon.
Outro Music: Summer on Ice - Emily James
Emily's IG (https://www.instagram.com/emilyjamesmusic/?hl=en)
Follow You Had to Be There (https://linktr.ee/uhadtobetherepod)
16 Jul 2026
The Level's Ian Abels on "Technocrats", Songwriting, & Modern Life
Welcome to You Had to Be There, the podcast where we dive into the world of the music industry. I'm your host, Julia Gomberg.
This week, I'm joined by my good friend and talented musician, Ian Abels, to talk about his new project, The Level, and its debut EP, Technocrats. Ian and I have been friends for nearly a decade, brought together by a shared love of live music and indie rock. It was really incredible to sit down and talk about the creative process behind Technocrats and everything that led to this moment. After nearly a decade of friendship and countless concerts together, getting to interview Ian about a project of his own on a music podcast that I host and produce was incredibly special.
You can stream Technocrats wherever you listen to music, or using the below link, and be sure to follow The Level using the social links below. .Thanks so much for listening, and I'll catch you next time.
The Level (https://thelevel.bandcamp.com/album/technocrats-ep)
The Level IG (https://www.instagram.com/thelevelband)
You Had to Be There (https://linktr.ee/uhadtobetherepod)
2 Jul 2026
Bre Kennedy on Writing 'The Alchemist' and the Stories We Tell Ourselves
Welcome to You Had to Be There, the podcast where we take a deep dive into the world of the music industry. I'm your host, Julia Gomberg. This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Nashville-based singer-songwriter Bre Kennedy.
Bre kicked off 2026 with the release of The Alchemist, an introspective and beautifully crafted album centered on collaboration, self-love, and personal growth. Throughout both her music and our conversation, Bre offers a thoughtful perspective on navigating life's complexities, capturing the highs, the lows, and everything in between with remarkable honesty. In our conversation, Bre shares an honest look at her creative process, offering insight into the vulnerability, intention, and collaboration behind her songwriting.
Be sure to check out The Alchemist and Bre’s journey through the links shared below, and follow along with the podcast @uhadtobetherepod on IG, TikTok and, Substack. Thanks so much for listening; I’ll catch you next time.
Listen to The Alchemist (https://brekennedy.ffm.to/thealchemist)
Follow Bre on IG (https://www.instagram.com/iambrekennedy/?hl=en)
Follow You Had to Be There (https://linktr.ee/uhadtobetherepod)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
522
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
22 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
21
Social presence
91
YouTube
72
Engagement
71
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