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
My Latest Warm-Up Routine Revealed
2023-06-19 15:30:00
To fend off boredom and always be inspired to sit down in the instrument to work, I’m constantly updating the content of my warm-up and my practice routine.
I’m currently out on tour with Steve Smith and don’t have my studio to shoot in. This is one of a couple of episodes I banked at home before hitting the road, in an effort to keep our weekly chat consistent!
You can find all the things I talk about in todays episode at my website if your curiosity is piqued, and you want to dig a little deeper: Janek Gwizdala Website
Enjoy,
Janek
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Hello Old Friend... Putting The Mattisson Back To Work
2023-06-12 21:30:21
It’s both exciting and challenging to be playing this bass again. It is, after all, still a prototype. There are all kinds of intonation issues with it, the setup is not ideal, and it could probably do with an overhaul of the electronics.
But the fundamental feedback I get from it when I play melodically, chordally, and basically just the music I’m working on for the new record, is priceless. Well worth the struggles for the payoff of range.
As a result, I’m doing a little more playing in this episode than usual, and running you through some of the ways I’m preparing to go to Argentina in a few weeks to cut the new record.
Enjoy,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Selling Everything & Bringing Back a Classic
2023-06-05 15:02:00
The video I posted to my main channel two days ago was neither clickbait nor a joke. I really am selling almost every bass I own, and keeping just the bear minimum I require to do my job to the highest standard. I’m also going back to a main bass I feel very connected to, and that kind of unintentionally torpedos the title of my recent appearance on the SBL podcast:Why Janek REFUSES to play a signature bass (ever again).
I’m not going back to trying to make a signature instrument, or to any of the chaos that the purchase of an FBass was meant to move me away from. But I am curious as to what a finished version of my Mattisson (I still only have a prototype) would feel like.
I go into a little more detail of this move in today’s episode, and also show one of the basses that didn’t make it into the main-channel video.
There are still a few left for sale at the website: https://janekgwizdala.com/store/basses
I have a mega trip to the post office today as a lot of these sold just hours after the video going live. It’s a beautiful feeling to step into space and not into clutter in the studio, and I look forward to updating you further when the transition is complete.
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
In Conversation With Steve Smith
2023-05-29 15:01:00
It never gets old interviewing your heroes. The bigger they are, the kinder and more focused on what’s important they seem to have been.
Steve all of that and more, and is one of the 9 people that inspired me to move to the US over 25 years ago. Between the two bands of the Brecker Brothers in 1992 and Steps Ahead back in 1986, there were nine musicians that changed my life forever and sent me on the mission I continue to be on today.
I'm lucky enough to have now played with (except the bass players of course) all of those cats, and find myself in Steve's band Vital Information as it celebrates 40 years of existence. Here are our upcoming tour dates https://janekgwizdala.com/tour and I hope to get to meet some of you out on the road.
Enjoy,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Totally Lost | How To Bounce Back From A Setback
2023-05-23 00:45:00
We all suffer setbacks in our music, and I just encountered a big one having written an album’s worth of music for one drummer only to find out he can’t make the sessions, and I have to start again from scratch.
This is my process for getting through something like this, and how I don’t let myself get too stressed as it works itself out.
Janek.
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I'm Back To Full Strength!
2023-05-15 22:53:55
It’s a good feeling to be making progress with music again. Just to be able to sit and play a major scale without coughing up both my lungs is a huge step forward, and as you’ll hear in today’s episode, there’s a heck of a lot more than just major scales happening right now.
Here’s hoping I can get back to full fitness in the gym, and execute all the ideas my brain has been working overtime to produce.
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
The Best Band John Scofield Never Recorded
2023-05-09 01:30:04
Thanks to an incredibly generous gift from a subscriber here on substack, I once again have a working minidisc player and with it, access to bootlegs and sessions I haven’t heard in over 20 years.
One of my all-time favorites was a show I went to only weeks after moving to the US that featured John Scofield, Will Boulware, Marlon Browden and Matt Garrison.
I share some of that bootleg in today’s episode, and talk about the importance of not forgetting your process from early periods of your development as a musician.
Don’t forget the new Giant Steps book is out and the Pre-Sale for the new album is happening right now!
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Writing A New Album
2023-05-02 23:12:35
As August and the sessions for the new album in Argentina are rapidly approaching, the pressure to get some notes on the page is mounting. In today’s episode I’m working on a new idea and go over how I think about orchestrating a composition, and where some of the idea might possibly end up on the album.
I also came up with a new bonus for everyone involved in the pre-sale for the new album which I’m really excited about!
The bronchitis is still bugging me, but it’s heading in the right direction. I hope I can both be on time with next week’s episode, and have gotten rid of this hacking cough.
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Health: Definitely Not On Track...
2023-04-25 22:32:53
I should have been taping this week's episode of the podcast on Sunday morning, but instead I was making my first visit to Urgent care in 25 years of living in the US. That, and much more in this episode, including the launch of the brand new Giant Steps book!
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
We Should All Play More Instruments
2023-04-17 21:37:34
The technical limitations of playing an instrument that isn’t your first aren’t the only benefit to a more honest writing process, but they definitely help.
Over time my piano chops have become fairly robust, but they are nowhere near my bass playing, and as a result I’m able to sit at the piano and play things that aren’t super technical and baked into my playing. It forces me to simplify my approach to the composition process, and I find many happy accidental changes of direction due to my fumbling of a melody or a chord.
I come across far more things this way than I would at the bass, and today’s episode takes a look at my writing process as I get to grips with composing for a large scale choir ahead of the sessions for my new album in Argentina in a few months.
Be a part of the project by participating in the pre-sale here.
Cheers,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe