Fortified was co-produced by Barnard and her then partner, Shane O’Mara, and recorded at their home studio Yikesville. Barnard commenced writing material for the album in 2003.

Fortified featured various Melbourne musicians such as Lisa Miller (backing vocals), Tim Rogers (backing vocals), Peter Jones (drums), Michael Barker of the John Butler Trio (drums), and Snout’s Ross McLennan (bass).

The album contains tracks penned by Barnard and co-writers including Dr. Rosemary Milne, who created the lyrics to the theme of Play School, on the song called I Hurt (a track about the dark side of love).

Fortified features one cover song, the Bob Dylan song Boots of Spanish Leather.