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

You Had to Be There

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

Follow Bre on IG

Follow You Had to Be There

This week, I'm honored to be joined by all four members of one of my favorite bands of the past decade, Temples. The English rock band blends influences from the '60s and '70s with a modern psychedelic sound that's made them a standout act in today's music landscape.

Ahead of the release of their fifth studio album, BLISS, out June 26, we took a trip down memory lane to discuss the band's origins as a project between friends in 2012, their creative evolution over the last decade, and the journey that's brought them to this next chapter.

If you enjoy this conversation, be sure to check out Temples and pre-save BLISS using the link below. Thanks so much for listening. Don't forget to follow along on Instagram and TikTok @uhadtobetherepod, and I'll catch you next time.

Pre-save BLISS

Follow Temples IG