My collaboration with RKM basses is now shipping to the lucky few who were able to grab one in our short run of the instrument.

In today’s episode I go into some detail about the venture with RKM, play the bass a ton, and also have a look at some of the challenges we face when using synth pedals as bass players.

More soon,

Janek

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

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

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,

Janek

P.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.

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 platforms

AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR I'LL CHANGE ALL THE SETTINGS ON YOUR PEDALS

More soon,

Janek

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,

Janek

New Book Bundle Available Now!

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

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