The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter for sustainability as an artist, and in just the past four days of the pre-sale for my new album, my motivation has risen to levels I haven't had in over a decade. You, the fans, are to thank for that, and it has turned this project into the most exciting I've ever embarked on. 

With streaming music services destroying what little chance of continuing to create art musicians like myself have, I'm saying goodbye to convention, and taking a different path. 

I hope you're curious enough to join me on the journey. Whether you're a musician yourself, or a fan interested in more than just the music, this is going to be some kind of ride and I have no idea where it might end up. 

We're taking a look at 4 of my favorite solo breaks of all time featuring Michael Brecker, Lee Morgan, Pat Metheny, and Nat Adderley. It's incredible how much these sounds and phrases have stuck with me throughout my career and informed what I do today, even if I don't write, play, or record in the style of any of these artists. It's all about time and sound informing nuance. 

I also give an update on the pre-production progress for the new album, and report on yesterday's pedal test session at the rehearsal studio in Los Angeles. 

Marketing guru Seth Godin gets us started with a quote from the "Behind the Brand" YouTube channel, and sends me down a path of working on the mental preparation needed to position yourself for success when you pursue something in music. 

We talk documentary film, recording, dad life, touring, music school, and a ton more in today's slightly longer than normal episode. 

It has been 18 years since Mystery to Me, my debut album, came out. Today I take a quick look back at the complete discography, tell stories about the sessions, and start to plot a course for what is to come in the future.

As mentioned in the show, you can join my new Telegram Channel to be a part of the conversation algorithm-free: https://t.me/janekgwizdala

The podcast is back after a one year hiatus, and it's all thanks to my recent uncoupling from social media. I've quieted the noise, brought my focus to where it needs to spend more time, and as a result have more time to be creative and produce these episodes for you. Aside from explaining a bit of my social media journey, I get into some new music, new pedals, and stereo imaging with my bass rig as I prepare to go to the studio in Spain next month and record my new trio.

As mentioned in the show, you can join my new Telegram Channel to be a part of the conversation algorithm-free: https://t.me/janekgwizdala

I'm working on ways to stay sharp at home while we don't have the option to be out playing gigs. Stamina will be a key element to the success of gigs once they return, and I have a couple of ideas towards the end of this episode that might help you. 

Getting stage-ready for gigs again is going to take some time. But it's something I think we should be thinking about now, even though gigs might be 6-9 months away at least. I'm working with a drum loop and trying to dial in my time, and also working on articulation of solo pieces and making a melody sing. 

Happy New Year! We're kicking off 2021 with some positive takes on the learning process, and what I think are the two most important things in my daily routine. I'm also giving you guys a quick listen to the new sounds of the current pedalboard setup which includes a new pedal this week: The Hungry Robot Moby Dick V2. 

I don't normally take more than a day off at a time, but with the holiday season in full flow here, it ended up being 4 whole days this year!

I finally find a route back into working on music in this episode, and end up creating some really fun frameworks for practicing chords and melody reharmonizations.