Janek Gwizdala Podcast
Dive deep into the music universe with the podcast that unveils the journey of one of the most influential bass players in the music industry – Janek Gwizdala. Designed for bass enthusiasts and musicians alike, each episode is a sonic exploration into the world of groove, gear. technique, and artistic evolution.
Janek Gwizdala, renowned for his mastery of the bass, shares his life's narrative – from the early days as a budding musician to his current status as a sought-after sideman and solo artist. Whether you're a seasoned bassist or simply appreciate the magic of live music, join us as we unravel the layers of Janek's experiences, revealing the secrets behind his signature sound.
Expect in-depth conversations with Janek and special guests, offering unique perspectives on music, composition, and the art of creating an unforgettable groove. Explore the challenges and triumphs of a professional bass player, gain insights into the creative process, and discover the stories behind some of Janek's most iconic performances.
Whether you're looking for inspiration for your own musical journey or simply want to bask in the rich tones of the bass, "The Janek Gwizdala Podcast" is your backstage pass to the world of bass and music.
Subscribe now for an intimate look at the life and legacy of Janek Gwizdala's bass-centric career.
janekgwizdala.substack.com
Me and THUNDERCAT on SBL?!
2025-06-11 22:07:18
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
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
Did I Just OFFEND 8,641,398 Soundgarden Fans?!
2025-06-05 22:56:46
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
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
When You're Not Ready for Tour...
2025-05-28 22:46:12
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
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
How to Get Better Faster
2025-05-21 15:04:00
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, Janek P.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!
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,
Janek
P.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!
The Illusion of Virtuosity — Giacomo Turra, Content Theft, and the Erosion of Musical Integrity
2025-05-06 15:03:00
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.
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.
The Podcast Turns into EPIC "Internet Musician" Rant
2025-04-29 15:05:00
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
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
You’ve NEVER Played Bass Chords Like THIS Before!
2025-04-19 14:50:00
Just a quick note to let you know that, besides today’s episode of the podcast dropping, we’re getting really close to being able to announce the London clinic with myself and Ian Martin Allison on June 1st . In today’s episode, I take a crack at sharing my latest harmonic curiosity: Neo-Riemannian Triadic Theory . It’s a bit of a mouthful for something that’s essentially just major and minor triads—in all their inversions—and how you can connect them using (amongst others) relative, parallel, and leading-tone transformations. It’s fascinating, kind of nerdy, but surprisingly good for your bass playing! You don’t ever have to actually play the ideas as chords on the bass—but the information you’re armed with, having studied the concept, gives you so many more options when it comes to note-choice and supporting the musicians around you in the band. More soon! Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Just a quick note to let you know that, besides today’s episode of the podcast dropping, we’re getting really close to being able to announce the London clinic with myself and Ian Martin Allison on June 1st.
In today’s episode, I take a crack at sharing my latest harmonic curiosity: Neo-Riemannian Triadic Theory. It’s a bit of a mouthful for something that’s essentially just major and minor triads—in all their inversions—and how you can connect them using (amongst others) relative, parallel, and leading-tone transformations.
It’s fascinating, kind of nerdy, but surprisingly good for your bass playing!
You don’t ever have to actually play the ideas as chords on the bass—but the information you’re armed with, having studied the concept, gives you so many more options when it comes to note-choice and supporting the musicians around you in the band.
More soon!
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Bass Day Europe Cancelled!
2025-04-11 16:59:53
A quick emergency episode of the podcast to let you know that Bass Day Europe has been cancelled a the last-minute, and that Ian Martin Allison and myself are going to try and do something in London together in its place. Comments on the video with suggestions are already pouring in which I really appreciate, but we can’t have too many ideas. So put your thinking caps on and let’s see what the best option ends up being. Since posting the video just a few hours ago it’s looking totally doable. I have been fielding dozens of questions about whether or not it was happening or was potentially a scam. Now we know. The writing seemed like it might already be on the wall when this was posted a couple of months back, but I was trying to be optimistic and going on the facts not the rumors as I had indeed been booked ad confirmed to play. I’m also really sorry to hear about people who have paid for tickets and haven’t had any direct communication from the organizers. That’s really not cool and there will be more in-depth video about this when I get back home from touring next week. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
A quick emergency episode of the podcast to let you know that Bass Day Europe has been cancelled a the last-minute, and that Ian Martin Allison and myself are going to try and do something in London together in its place.
Comments on the video with suggestions are already pouring in which I really appreciate, but we can’t have too many ideas. So put your thinking caps on and let’s see what the best option ends up being. Since posting the video just a few hours ago it’s looking totally doable.
I have been fielding dozens of questions about whether or not it was happening or was potentially a scam. Now we know.
The writing seemed like it might already be on the wall when this was posted a couple of months back, but I was trying to be optimistic and going on the facts not the rumors as I had indeed been booked ad confirmed to play.
I’m also really sorry to hear about people who have paid for tickets and haven’t had any direct communication from the organizers. That’s really not cool and there will be more in-depth video about this when I get back home from touring next week.
More soon,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
The Ultimate Flight Case for Bass Pedalboards – Indestructible?
2025-04-03 15:03:00
I've been looking for the perfect touring pedalboard case my entire career, and even though I think I've come pretty close with this latest setup, only time on the road over the next two weeks will tell. We start our tour here at home in LA for four nights, but once we leave for the airport it's 14 flights in 10 days. I'll be sure to report back on all the wins and losses for the board when the tour is over. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
I've been looking for the perfect touring pedalboard case my entire career, and even though I think I've come pretty close with this latest setup, only time on the road over the next two weeks will tell.
We start our tour here at home in LA for four nights, but once we leave for the airport it's 14 flights in 10 days.
I'll be sure to report back on all the wins and losses for the board when the tour is over.
More soon,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
This Pedal Just Changed Everything
2025-03-26 23:52:40
It's incredible what can be staring you in the face for so long, and you just can't see it no matter how hard you look. My discovery this week, of a function on a pedal I've owned for over 5 years, changed the way I'm able to play, to write, and to enjoy music. The pedalboard has now been cannibalized as a result, and is being totally rebuilt before touring starts next week. As a result, some pedals are on the way out to make room for new stuff. Check them out! I’ve mentioned in the past that some of the books we get from the factory don’t make it to us in perfect condition, and as a result of not being able to sell them, they’ve been piling up here. We’re now offering these units for sale with a massive discount. The defects are purely cosmetic of course, and the content in the books is still 100% sound. There are only a few available, so grab yours now! More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
It's incredible what can be staring you in the face for so long, and you just can't see it no matter how hard you look.
My discovery this week, of a function on a pedal I've owned for over 5 years, changed the way I'm able to play, to write, and to enjoy music.
The pedalboard has now been cannibalized as a result, and is being totally rebuilt before touring starts next week. As a result, some pedals are on the way out to make room for new stuff.
I’ve mentioned in the past that some of the books we get from the factory don’t make it to us in perfect condition, and as a result of not being able to sell them, they’ve been piling up here. We’re now offering these units for sale with a massive discount. The defects are purely cosmetic of course, and the content in the books is still 100% sound. There are only a few available, so grab yours now!
More soon,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe