We're back! On this episode of You Had to Be There, I sit down with Leah Lavigne of Brooklyn indie-rock band OK Cowgirl to talk about building a music career on her own terms, finding community in New York’s indie-rock scene, and turning life’s messiest moments into art.

From trading classical piano for electric guitar to navigating burnout, heartbreak, and the realities of pursuing music while working a day job, Leah opens up about the experiences behind OK Cowgirl’s latest album, Rhinestone Cowgirl. We also get into the power of finding your people, the complicated experience of growing up biracial, and why getting more specific with your art can be the key to connecting with others.

Plus, we talk about the women who shaped her, including her incredible 90-year-old grandmother, and why turning 30 might not be the existential crisis we make it out to be.

If you’ve ever felt caught between the life you imagined and the life you’re building, this one’s for you.

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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

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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

The Level IG

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