Janek Gwizdala Podcast

I haven't been this excited about a pedal in a very long time, and thought I would be waiting much longer to get my hands on one. The entire run of 400 sold out instantly a couple of months ago, and I imagine the next run in October will do the same. From its small footprint to the incredible depth of functionality, this reverb is musically very inspiring and I look forward to bringing you more updates on my progress with it soon.More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

We get to some new stereo sounds in the pedalboard and even a short lesson on outlining dominant chords in today’s episode… But first, in a music industry dominated by the internet, streaming, social media, and ten-second clips, I’m trying something a little different.I’ve always had the red light on when I’m playing live. I’ve recorded hundreds of shows over the past two decades, many of them as a bandleader performing my own music.Now, I’m sharing them in a new project I’m calling The Record Store. I get so many emails asking why I’m not on Bandcamp or where people can buy my music because they don’t use streaming services—and this is my answer.All the live shows from the past, every studio album, and as many new live recordings as I can add in the future will be available for download in one place: The Record Store.As I mention in today’s episode, if just 1% of this channel’s subscribers bought one album, it would fund one—possibly even two—new studio albums within the next 12 months.So, as I continue my quest to write, record, and release as much music as possible while I’m still here, I hope this project will help fuel the creative side of my career and make it possible to bring you new music on a regular basis.More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

With more than 30 years invested in the process of learning and playing music, I'm still trying to get better and improve my technique. If you’re a fan of cycling like me, you may have heard about Tadej Pogačar and his zone-2 training revelations, as discussed by Peter Attia and Tadej's former coach Inigo San Millan. I've tried to start applying similar concepts to my daily practice routine, and I'm starting to see improvements, even after more than 30 years of playing. I'm excited to be able to share some of my progress from the past few weeks in this episode. More soon, JanekP.S. The pre-order for my new book “How To Transcribe” is now open. Transcription is the single most powerful way to train your ear and unlock your musicianship. This book is more than a manual—it’s a complete system for learning how to listen deeply, recognize musical language, and translate sound directly to your instrument. Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Special guests on this week's episode are my great friends and musical collaborators Justin Vasquez (who you will find on my albums Live at the 55bar, It Only Happens Once, and Found) and Gabriel Santiago who is a phenomenal Brazilian guitarist and composer I've worked with for many years, and appears on "Night Watch" as a vocalist. Check out Gabriel's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@GabrielSantiago⁩  Stream Justin's music: https://open.spotify.com/album/4TKrrFy4Ga39ugWx1ZObOI?si=StqQEUpmQCyHNESD-RH47Q🎧 In this episode, we dive deep into the future of music, technology, and legacy. The conversation explores what it means to create art in a rapidly changing world—where analog gave way to digital, and digital is now colliding with AI.We discuss:🎶 AI in music: from remixing classic tracks to generating entire albums in the style of legendary artists. Is this innovation, sacrilege, or simply inevitable?📀 Shifting mediums: the journey from vinyl to CDs to streaming, and what happens to music when platforms like Spotify or Apple Music may not exist 100 years from now.⏳ Time capsules & legacy: the idea of preserving music on titanium, planning “future releases” for anniversaries, and confronting the question of how long art truly lasts.🧑‍🎤 The human element: why feel and imperfection still matter more than ever in a world of modeling amps, auto-generated songs, and algorithm-driven content.🎭 Audience & authenticity: from being “canceled” online for offhand comments to the rise of “organic music” labels in the future—how will listeners define what’s real?This is a raw, thought-provoking conversation about creativity, disruption, and why the best artists will always find a way to leave their mark, no matter how technology evolves.Before we hit record I had no idea we would get so deep into all of this, so if you’ve ever wondered about the next 50 years of music, art, and storytelling, this could be just the thing for your commute or workout today!Don’t forget to check out the new album now streaming on all platformsAND SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR I'LL CHANGE ALL THE SETTINGS ON YOUR PEDALSMore soon,Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode we get into some Django Reinhardt, the ii-V-I, and a pedal that's been at the top of my wishlist ever since it dropped a few weeks ago and sold out instantly!More soon, JanekNew Book Bundle Available Now! Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Don't ignore your ears! They're the most important part of the process when it comes to playing, learning, communicating, interacting, and producing music of any kind. The word transcription has some things associated with it that might put you off thinking it's right for you, but in today's episode I'm going to break down some of those barriers and give you an explanation of the term that might help you incorporate it into your routine more easily. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Cannonball Adderley is one of my biggest jazz heroes and in this episode we're taking a look into how he's helped me with all aspects of my playing, not just jazz and improvisation. Find and trust a process that works for you, and then get into great habits like consistency, listening, and repetition. I have also found throughout the decades of working on all music, that the less I expect in terms of results, the more I end up achieving. It’s so easy to get sucked into that vortex of impatience when you first start working on something new. But trusting the process, letting it come to you rather than forcing the issue, and being okay with it not sounding or feeling that great right away are all key elements of what is going to help you succeed. Iconic Lines could be a great place to start if you're into material like this. Even if you're not, it could be the challenge and the discipline you've been looking for to take your daily routine in a new a more productive direction. Get ready for new music tonight at midnight with the release of the new album “Found” available on all streaming platforms!More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Even if your pedal doesn't have them built in, I have a fix to get you the sound that "trails" open up on time based effects. And when it comes to some of the hippest pedal sounds for bass, a momentary switch can make all the difference in your performance. We get to both trails and momentary switches in this episode, as well as some tasty pedal combos and a vintage octave pedal you may have never seen before... As I mention in the episode, four of my favorite pedals are up on the chopping block, and my loss is your gain right. I have a few new things I want to bring into the pedalboard, and I'm trying to be good about not hoarding pedals just for the sake of it. They have served me well, have been on several of my own albums as well as on this channel many times, and now the road veers in a different sonic direction which requires a change of pedal scenery for me.Check out these beauties on the store before they’re all gone.More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Jason was a full-time touring musician for years, playing hundreds—if not thousands—of shows around the world. Today, he’s recognized as one of the world’s leading card magicians. He was incredibly generous with his time, sitting down with me to explore the fascinating parallels between mastering both music and magic. We met at New York City’s legendary Birdland Jazz Club and went deep into the lineage Jason comes from—one that traces back to giants like Dai Vernon, his mentor Darwin Ortiz, and a rare circle of elite card magicians. These artists are keeping the craft alive and evolving, both through live performance and the modern era of video we currently find ourselves in. One of the performance's referenced in the interview is Jason's Magic Castle set. I highly recommend watching it for some context, and also to get your brain melted:He is touring constantly, and having been in the room while he handled the cards, I cannot recommend checking out a live show enough. Check out tour dates and everything else Ladanye.He is also @CardMagicByJason on all platforms.More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Ever wanted to sound just like your bass heroes? We all have those iconic players who shaped the way we hear and play bass. For me, it started with revisiting Voodoo by D'Angelo and getting lost in Pino Palladino’s buttery tone. That led me down the rabbit hole of dialing in his sound—and others—using the HX Stomp. The result? A custom collection of 5 HX Stomp presets inspired by five of the greatest to ever do it: Marcus Miller, Pino Palladino, Tim Lefebvre, John Patitucci, and Victor Wooten. These players have shaped entire genres—and my own musical path—with tones that are instantly recognizable yet always evolving. Rather than chase every tone they’ve ever played, I zeroed in on some of their most iconic recorded moments. These presets are my best attempt to capture those sounds—the ones that made me stop and rewind.Check out all the HX Presets I have in the store, including this new collection of Bass Legends. They’re designed as a starting point for your curiosity, and I highly recommend diving deeper into each artist’s discography to better understand their origin story. As the years unfold, the fascinating part for me is where they’ve all ended up on the journey. With John Patitucci you might be a huge fan of the 80’s/90’s Ken Smith/Yamaha records, but haven’t explored the recent albums with the hollow body instruments. Marcus Miller might mean SLAP to you, but perhaps you missed his incredibly melodic finger style playing on fretless on records like Tales and Marcus. Wherever you’re at in your listening and discovery, just remember that curiosity is key, and these sounds could open up a whole new world of music. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

This past week has been one of the bigger musical challenges of my career when I was asked to sub for one of my all-time bass heroes Tony Levin in the band Stick Men. This episode takes a look at the process of learning their show in less than two days, transcribing and charting all the music, and playing 9 note phrases over an 11/4 time signature. It was a real highlight of my year to be trusted by these exceptional musicians, to be able to complete the assignment, and most importantly to have a fun and musically fulfilling time doing it. We of course wish Tony a speedy recovery, and the band a successful conclusion to their west coast tour this month.Be sure to check out the band and their tour dates.More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Adam Neely is a bass player, band leader, YouTuber and much more as you're about to find out in this interview. I sat down with him recently in NYC and got into what it takes to be a bass player and artist in 2025 and beyond.We talk touring as a band leader, breaking the YouTube algorithm, and a little nerdy pedal chat thrown in for good measure. This was the first time we were meeting in person, and it will hopefully be the first of many sit-down discussions as the music business evolves in the coming years. Enjoy, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

This episode of the podcast started life a couple of days ago as a post on my newsletter, and has now become a deeper dive into the inner workings of some of the most legendary bass players we all know and love. You might have heard of these bassists, maybe heard these albums. Perhaps you've even heard these exact songs before! But if you leave with nothing else from this episode, I want you to think about all the places your mind hasn't yet wondered when you listen.Before you leave, don’t forget that our 4th of July “Independence Bass” sale is now live! Get 30% off all orders over $80, and get free shipping worldwide on books, CDs and Vinyl. No promo codes needed. It all happens automatically at checkout. More soon and happy practicing!Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

You might be a bass player who owns more than one bass, but has had difficulty switching between them. You are not alone! This was me for the longest time. I used to be so tied to one specific instrument that I missed out on a lot of opportunities to play music. I've since shed that security blanket and am sharing the process in today's episode as I highlight how much easier it has become to switch between 4 very different basses.The Vital Information East Coast tour starts tomorrow, all dates are linked below. More soon, Janek📚 Bass Books👕 Merch🌎 My Website💿 CDs and Vinyl📅 Tour Dates🎧 Stream My MusicSUBSCRIBE OR I'LL CHAGE ALL THE SETTINGS ON YOUR PEDALS Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Playing a Thundercat song on SBL wasn't something I had on my bingo card at the beginning of the year, but that's exactly what happened! I had a blast shooting the video and was (in a very rare instance for me) quite happy with the performance. I think it was a product of being surprised by the material, feeling comfortable around the crew, and just letting it happen. Massive thanks to Sharon for doing such a great job of hosting the segment and being open to trying something new with the format, and to the whole crew with Scott and Mattie for our mega day in the studio here in Los Angeles.Check out the new Chordal Harmony Bundle if you want to dig deeper into some of the chords and voicings I’m breaking down in today’s episode. More soon, Janek📚 Bass Books👕 Merch🌎 My Website💿 CDs and Vinyl📅 Tour Dates🎧 Stream My MusicSUBSCRIBE OR I'LL CHAGE ALL THE SETTINGS ON YOUR PEDALS Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

It all started as a very innocent comment about not being a huge Soundgarden fan. Over 200k views and 1k comments in the first week later, and the dumpster fire that YouTube comments can become has been quite an eye-opening ride. The irony is, I don't hate Soundgarden at all. I've even seen them in concert at the old LA Forum and had a great time. The way in which most of the outraged commenters on Musora's video we shot with Vital Information think it's wrong that I don't choose Soundgarden as my go-to band, is quite astonishing. If I asked them to listen to microtonal ambient clarinet music and they weren't a huge fan, should my response be the same? Should I think any less of them? Of course not. In this episode we break down the Soundgarden controversy, my clinics in Europe with Ian Martin Allison, and one of the worst travel weeks of my 30+ year career.Make sure you check out the new vinyl copies of the Mystery to Me 20th Anniversary release that just arrived while I was on tour in Europe. All pre-orders shipped today, and there are a few copies left that are available in the store while stocks last!More soon, Janek📚 Bass Books👕 Merch🌎 My Website💿 CDs and Vinyl📅 Tour Dates🎧 Stream My MusicSUBSCRIBE OR I'LL CHAGE ALL THE SETTINGS ON YOUR PEDALS Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

When life happens and what you actually need to be doing to get ready for recording, performances, or clinics gets put on the back burner, it can feel a little hectic and out of control. I found myself waking up today, the day before leaving for Europe, and feeling very underprepared with my playing. Today’s episode takes a look at the idea I’m using to inject some confidence and stamina back into my playing, so I can hit the ground running in Germany and play to the best of my ability. The final few tickets for our Bass Bash event in London on June 1st are AVAILABLE HERE, as is a mint-condition Fairfield Circuitry Randy’s Revenge that is flying out of the pedal library this week to make room for something new. I was also given a couple of fun new toys by Tosin Abasi yesterday, so we take a quick look at them towards the end of the episode. More soon, Janek📚 Bass Books👕 Merch🌎 My Website 💿 CDs and Vinyl 📅 Tour Dates 🎧 Stream My MusicSUBSCRIBE OR I'LL CHAGE ALL THE SETTINGS ON YOUR PEDALS Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

It's not clickbait, it's not a hack, it's not a shortcut, and there is no avoiding the work. This is literally how you get better faster than you’re doing it now. Laser focus on small pieces of information for as much time as you can during your practice sessions, will help give you the freedom to play without thinking when it comes to be onstage.More soon, JanekP.S. There are crazy delays on the Mystery to Me Anniversary Vinyl, and I must apologize to everyone who pre-ordered the album. I was expecting to ship in mid-April, and that is already a month gone. The latest from Discmakers is May 15th-Jun 4th as a delivery window. As soon as they’re here, they’ll be on the way to you! 📚 Bass Books👕 Merch🌎 My Website 💿 CDs and Vinyl 📅 Tour Dates 🎧 Stream My MusicSUBSCRIBE OR I'LL CHAGE ALL THE SETTINGS ON YOUR PEDALS Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

In this no-holds-barred episode, we (yes, my wife is finally back on an episode!) react to the recent storm surrounding Danny Sapko's exposé of Giacomo Turra, who’s been accused of stealing musical content and passing it off as his own. The controversy triggered widespread conversation across the online music world—drawing in heavyweights like Adam Neely and Rick Beato. But here’s the twist: we don’t agree with most of what they had to say.🎧 Inside this episode:* A breakdown of Sapko’s claims and what they reveal about the culture of borrowed clout* Our critical take on Neely and Beato’s responses—and where we feel they missed the mark* How social media rewards performance over process, illusion over integrity* The damaging effect this has on real musicians who spend years learning, practicing, and creating* Why defending the process—not just the product—matters now more than everThis isn’t a takedown. It’s a deep reflection on how we define musical value in an era where faking it can get you followers, brand deals, and a career.More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

We’re into a harmony deep-dive in today’s episode that, towards the end of the epsiode, becomes somewhat of an “internet musician” deep rant. Thankfully I’m not 21 anymore, and I think we pose some important and positive questions before the episode is over. Get in the comments below the YouTube video to chime in with your thoughts. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe