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Janek Gwizdala Podcast — Music
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

Latest Episodes:

The Podcast is Back! Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Bass players, coffee drinkers, ladies and gentlemen, the podcast is back!

Full disclosure: I used chat gpt to generate the description of the podcast below based on a transcript of the episode. I’m still not sure how I feel about the whole AI thing in general, but I realized it saved me a ton of legwork today with something I’m not particularly good at (writing descriptions of things), and provides some information that might help you better understand what the episode is about and bring a little more value to you without accusing me of selling my soul to Sam Altman.

I want to make it very clear that I have never used AI in the creation of music or of any of my books, and never will. That, to me, is a very clear line that should never be crossed.

I would like your honest feedback on this, and to know whether youtube descriptions are a tolerable use-case for the technology since it allows me way more time to focus on practicing, playing and recording real music and video lessons to share with you all.

Here goes…

In this episode I catch you up on everything that's been happening, from touring with Steve Smith's Vital Information, to moving house here in Southern California, finishing my brand-new book How to Transcribe, and preparing for the release of my new live trio album Quiet Places.I also spend a good portion of the episode exploring one of the most inspiring harmonic concepts I've encountered in years: Neo-Riemannian triadic transformations. It's a simple idea built around major and minor triads, but it's completely changed the way I'm thinking about harmony, improvisation, voice leading, and creating melodic movement in my bass lines.We also talk about:• Why transcription is really about ear training• How immersion and repetition accelerate musical growth• Touring with a minimalist pedalboard setup• The Walrus Audio Mantle in real-world situations• Preparing mentally for performances with musical heroes• Building freedom through harmony instead of memorized licksIf you're interested in becoming a more musical improviser (not just learning more scales) this episode is for you.If you'd like to see a full rundown of my current touring pedalboard, leave a comment below. If enough people ask, I'll make a dedicated video.

Thoughts?

More soon,

Janek

Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Reclaiming Focus Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

After years of building one of the most extensive bass pedal collections imaginable, I’ve made a big decision… I’m letting almost all of it go.

In this episode, I talk through why I’m selling over 200 pedals, what triggered the shift, and how simplifying my setup is already changing the way I make music.

This isn’t just about gear, it’s about creativity, focus, and letting go of the “collector mindset” in favor of something much more intentional.

Owning more gear doesn’t necessarily make you more creative. In fact, it can do the opposite. I reference the Generation Loss Mkii as a key component of the process. It’s about removing friction, reclaiming focus, and getting more out of less.

More soon,

Janek

Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

What I’m Building in 2026 Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

The podcast returns to its own channel with a 2026 reset: a clearer lane for each part of my output so the main YouTube channel can stay focused on harmony/theory-based lessons, while the podcast and live/performance content live on their own separate channels. I outline six recording projects I'm aiming to track across the year, share a packed touring schedule (US, Japan, Europe, Asia), and talk through a more realistic approach to tour gear—from compact boards to MIDI control, flight cases, and what I actually use on gigs.

In this episode

Why the podcast is back on the podcast-dedicated YouTube channel

The 3-lane restructure for 2026:

Main channel = harmony/bass lesson content

Podcast channel = long-form conversation + gear talk

Clips channel = live performance, studio, behind-the-scenes

The “why” behind the shift: reduce stress, increase clarity, serve each audience better

The six album/projects Janek is planning to track in 2026

Touring: how the volume is increasing in 2026 and what that means with family life

A candid look at saying “yes” vs “no” as a working musician, and how that advice changes by age/career stage

Gear logistics: what’s realistic to fly with, compact boards, and why “small but powerful” wins on the road

Compact rig idea: Walrus Mantle + HX Stomp

Testing rigs on warm-up gigs before international runs

New Gator / Vertex case system and a compact board build plan

MIDI control with a Morningstar MC4

The honest truth: on many gigs, only a fraction of the pedalboard gets used

How the harmony/triads videos unexpectedly clicked, and why that success triggered the restructure

The role of Substack: the hub where people can choose what to watch/listen to

Links Mentioned in the Episode

- Main Channel Triad Video 0 and Triad Video 1

- Clips Channel

- Podcast Channel

- SBL MIchael Jackson Cover

Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

New Fretless Bass! Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

The latest short run of basses with RKM, in three new colors, is here! Check out all the specs below and use the contact email at the bottom of the description to enquire about ordering one today.

We also get into triads on dominants chords and a recap of the comments section of the now infamous Mantle video from a couple of weeks ago.

RKM CUSTOM 5JG Collab 2Scale: 33”No. Frets: 24No. Strings: 5Distance between strings: 17mmBody wood: Mahogany selected 2 pieceNeck: Hard rock Maple w/ carbon fiber reinforcementFretboard: Birdseye maple / Gaboon Ebony (fretted / fretless)Position markers: Luminlay Side dotsPickups: Nordstrand NP5F/NP5Fa (bridge/neck)Preamp: TRICKFISH IPA 3 band 18VTuners: Hipshot Ultralite w/ Bass XtenderBridge: Hipshot Style A 17mm brassStrap buttons: Dunlop StraplokGigbag: MONO Stealth blackOptions available:Body color:Dark Green / Dark gray / Surf BlueStyle:Fretted / Fretless with reference lines / Fretless clean fretboardTuningEADGC / BEADGOrder via email here: batch2@rkmbasses.com

More soon,

Janek

Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

$749 For a Bass Preamp?! Jan 17, 2026

Show notes

We're taking a look into the new Bass DI and preamp from Walrus audio in collaboration with Ian Martin Allison. Spoiler alert... It's a beautiful piece of gear, and the minor meltdowns about the price happening in the comments below the launch video are a little puzzling.

For the most part though, the feedback is hugely supportive and positive which is both great, and greatly deserved.

Hopefully this Episode gives you some perspective, some sounds, and a few things to think about when choosing the right gear for you.

Besides sending me the unit to try, Walrus Audio are not a sponsor in any other way. I’m never paid for my opinion, and Walrus have no say in what I present to you. As you well know, I just like to make cool sounds with cool stuff.

More soon,

Janek

Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

The Ethics of Streaming (And Why it Matters) Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

Following on from our most recent discussion on the subject, I get a little deeper into the weeds on the state of streaming, the music industry as a whole, and some of the ethical decisions we face when considering how to release our music and share it with the world.

I have gone back and forth on the subject for many years, and endeavor to update my thinking on it as and when the information changes.

It’s currently less of a negative thing than a positive thing for what my long-term goals are as an artist, and that’s what I get deeper into detail about in this episode. Far more so than the latest article published in my newsletter.

More soon,

Janek

Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Revealing My 2025 YouTube Revenue Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

To close out the year I’m counting down my top ten YouTube shorts for 2025 and revealing all the numbers from both 2024 and 2025 for comparison.

It won’t buy me any beachfront property, but it’s not all doom and gloom, and it doesn’t signal the end by any stretch of the imagination.

Don’t forget, that for the next 24hrs only, the entire store is on a 20% holiday sale, with all discounts added automatically at checkout.

See you in 2026!

Janek

Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Mike Stern Tour Recap Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

Looking back on two emotional weeks on the road with Mike Stern's band featuring Dennis Chambers on drums. I'm diving deep into how the new pedalboard held up on tour, how the past creeps into my present sometimes, and what the future holds.

More soon,

Janek

Our year-end holiday sale is now on! Get 20% off storewide with discounts added automatically at checkout: https://janekgwizdala.myshopify.com/

Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

How I'm Getting the Best Clean Tone I've Ever Had Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

I can’t believe I haven’t utilized this function on any of the pedals or amps I’ve owned.

I’ve been getting so deep into the clean signal of my bass lately, especially with the addition of the Wetter Box from GigRig, and this week’s episode of the podcast takes a look at the latest mission to clean up the signal chain even more!

More soon,

Janek

Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

Chord Melodies For Bass Players Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

With a rare trio gig tonight that doesn’t have a chordal instrument besides me in the band, I’m re-booting the partition of my brain that gives me access to a ton of harmony, melody, and comping. All on the bass!

In this episode we’ll take a look at both an extended range 5-string with a high C string, and a standard 4-string tuning.

More soon,

Janek

Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe

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