A number of years back I was bumming over some chick. Friggin chicks. And I wrote and recorded a song which was originally intended for release on my second album, ‘First Sign of Anything’. The album started taking a different direction and the track got shelved because sonically it didn’t really fit.

Well, last night I was digging around in an old hard drive and found it, listened to it, and was like, why the heck didn’t I ever release this thing?

I’m actually thinking I might go ahead and do that at some point…

Anyway, it’s called ‘Don’t Be Like That‘ and I thought I’d share it with you guys and see what you think. I dig it.

To listen and download the track click the play button below. The player is locked, but as soon as you scroll over it you’ll get instructions on how to unlock it. Takes 4 point 7 seconds

Shoot me a comment and let me know what you think.

– John

It seems that my most consistent Christmas/New Years tradition is writing a blog post where I apologies for not writing as many blog posts as I promised I would the year prior. So once again, I PROMISE TO GET BETTER AT WRITING BLOG POSTS IN 2012 AND UPDATE THIS SITE MORE DAMN OFTEN!

So there.

Truth is, it’s almost certain that this year will be a busy one. On the blog and otherwise.

The last few years have been full of many changes for me. My first son, River, was born in 2010 and I bought a home in New Zealand where I now spend about half of the year, splitting my time between NZ and Los Angeles. The family and I recently took an 11 country trip through Europe and I’ve also had my hands full with my latest business venture: Music Marketing Manifesto.

But somewhere in there I found the time to finish my 4th album. Still working on the final mixes but the tracks are in the can and it should be finished shortly.

I’m really excited about this one. It’s a blue-grass album with alternative sensibilities. Banjos, fiddles, and plenty of four letter words. It’s a mix of originals and covers, (something I have never really done before), and I’m diggin’ it.

As excited to put it out as I am, I have one other thing on the schedule this year that I’m even more excited about and that’s my upcoming wedding to my fiancée, Keshama Jane.

Assuming she can still tolerate me, we will be getting married in late February at our country home here in New Zealand. It’s been a long time coming and I am happy/proud/stoked/honored to make an honest woman out of her. Thanks babe.

At the risk of sounding a bit corny, I sincerely want to thank all of YOU for still being part of this journey with me. It’s now been almost 12 years since the release of my first album and the launch of this site. Whether you’ve been here the entire time or you’re a new arrival, thank you for reading, listening, and just taking the time.

Here’s to a kick ass 2012!

As many of you know I’ve been splitting my time between Los Angeles and New Zealand, you’re probably also aware that there was a 6.3 magnitude earthquake the other day down in Christ Church that has led to a considerable loss of life and what has been estimated to be billions of dollars in damages.

NZ, now being my part-time home, I thought I’d post this to help support the cause. Many people will be homeless as a result of the quake, and they’ll need help.

You can donate money to the New Zealand Red Cross here. (note: they appear to be experiencing occasional server overload on the site in case you get there and it’s down.)

• Here are a number of other resources: New Zealand earthquake quick-facts HERE
• Where to get help/what to do HERE
• Google’s launched a people finder page HERE
• Use the #eqnzContact hashtag on twitter if you’re trying to find loved ones/let them know you are alright

Vodafone and telecom are advising users to limit calls/use text only, so as not to overload phone lines.

You can help the cause by reposting on Facebook or Twitter using one of the icons below this post.

I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’ve been on a bit of an “information diet” this year, thus avoiding the usual reports of doom, gloom, and financial calamity, but despite what I hear is supposedly going on out there in the world, 2010 has been pretty frickin’ awesome for me.

This year I experienced the birth of my first son, River, visited New Zealand, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and San Diego, and most recently I released Music Marketing Manifesto 2.0 which sold out in only a week.

My only disappointment this year is that with so much on my plate I have not had the chance to finish my fourth, and yet to be titled, album. Time has been in short supply this year, but I’m back in my remote New Zealand country home for the next 3 months and am already starting to nail down the last few songs needed to fill out the album. With a little luck I’ll record them some time this spring and have the album out by the end of 2011.

In the meantime I’ve got a little appropriately timed sample track for you. The song is somewhat sarcastically titled, “John Oszajca’s Golden Christmas Classic”, and it’s slated to be one of the cuts off my upcoming release. It’s also gives you a good idea of the alt/country/bluegrass turn that my sound has been taking over the last few years.

To download the track simply right click and save this link.

To everyone who has been a supporter of my music for all these years, and to everyone who has recently become involved with Music Marketing Manifesto, THANK YOU. You guys have helped make this a truly amazing year.

May you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic 2011.

As always, I want to hear from you guys. Do me a favor and leave a comment or help share the love with one of the social media options below.

P.S. The free track will come down after the new year so be sure to download it before then.

Just a quick note to let all of my fellow musicians know that Music Marketing Manifesto 2.0 goes live on Monday.

In the meantime I’ve created a free training video that explains the exact strategy I use to build a fan base and sell music using the internet. To watch it click here.

I’m also giving away a free website template. This template was specifically designed to help musicians turn all those website visitors into actual fans. Most musicians are missing out on a huge opportunity due to the way their websites are designed.

If you make music…. go here.

From his poem, “A Thanksgiving Prayer”… Be sure to read on to my comments following his poem.

“Thanks for the wild turkey and the Passenger Pigeons, destined to be shit out through wholesome American guts —

thanks for the last and greatest betrayal of the last and greatest of human dreams.”

I don’t know what the hell was going on over at ol’ Bill’s house but that sounds nothing like Thanksgiving when I was growing up. We just ate turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. All the best to you and your family.

Thanks for helping to make this a great year.

— John

PS – What are you doing for Thanksgiving? Tell me in a comment below.

Looks like my last “real” blog post was back in December… yikes!

Well, there’s a few reasons for that. As some of you may already know, 2010 has been an eventful year for me. In January my fiancée, Keshama, and I had our first child; a little boy we call River. He happens to be the coolest little dude in the universe, but you’ll just have to take my word for it

Keshama and I decided to take a break from LA to experience parenthood somewhere far away from traffic jams, mocha frappachinos and non-existent back yards. For us that place was New Zealand. We bought ourselves a little house on a few acres, in what you can safely say is the absolute middle of nowhere. We have been living here since October of last year and while we do plan to head back to Los Angeles in the not-so-distant future, it’s a safe bet that we will be racking up the frequent flyer miles over the coming years.

Speaking of years… It’s now been ten since the release of my first album, From There To Here. Let’s just say it’s been one hell of a road. Many ups and downs, many triumphs as well as near-nuclear-meltdowns. But three albums later I’m still standing and ready to give it another go.

Before leaving for New Zealand in the fall, I began work on record number four with producer and friend, Dave Darling. While I suppose many will call this yet-to-be-titled album a departure, an “arrival” is probably a little closer to the bone.

The album – at least so far – is just a few swear words shy of a bluegrass album. If “Alt-Bluegrass” hasn’t been coined yet then I’m hoping this album lands me the title. The album will feature John Hatton of the Stray Cats on bass, Cody Bryant of Riders of the Purple Sage on mandolin and fiddle, Teddy Andriadis ( Guns N’ Roses, Alice Cooper) on the accordion and Dave Darling (Boxing Ghandis) and myself playing everything else. But with at least 5 or 6 more tracks to go, anything and anyone is still possible.

I’m really pleased with this album so far and in a weird way it marks a new beginning. It’s the first time in many years that I haven’t been drawing on older songs or trying to fulfill the oppressive terms of a major label or a publishing contract. I’m just doing what I want to do, and more and more that seems to be country and bluegrass. The plan is to be back in the studio around the end of the year and I hope to have the album ready by some time in 2011.

For what it’s worth, if you’re reading this I truly want to thank you. If you’re still here after 10 years it likely means you are a true fan, friend, or possibly both. It’s the support and encouragement from folks like you who keep me inspired and continuing to make music. I really do appreciate it.

With that said, I’d like to hear from you. So don’t be shy. Leave a comment, question or unsolicited rant below. I’ll do my best to respond to everyone.

If you haven’t yet, please sign up for the mailing list (over there in the top right hand corner), and get a free download of my latest single while you’re at it. Be sure to also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

Things probably won’t really start to heat up until early next year but there are a number things in the works so stay tuned and be sure to check back soon.

By the way… Any ideas for the title of the next album?

I’ve been kinda bombarded with requests for the lyrics to I Hate You My Friend lately. So here you go! As you may or may not already know the track was used as the end-credit song in What Happens in Vegas, starring Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz. You can download I Hate You My Friend for free in the sign up box over there on the right hand side of this site. It’s currently an unadvertised bonus you’ll get immedietly after signing up for the mailing list. If you have a second to spare and you’re a fan of the tune, go ahead and leave a comment or retweet this post down below. Without further adieu…

No one here likes you
Go away
Get a clue
Go back to your fucking zoo
Or whatever it is you do

I don’t know why
I don’t like what’s in your eyes
and I’d love to split ‘em wide

I could pretend
Dude, can’t you understand
I hate you, my friend

And some call it obsession
And some call it pure hate
And others call it pathetic
But some totally relate

I’d rather go to hell
Than shake your hand or wish you well
In case you couldn’t tell

Go ahead boy drink your drink
Go ahead boy do your thing
Can you live knowing the words to every song I sing.

I could pretend
Dude, can’t you understand
I hate you, my friend

And some call it obsession
And some call it pure hate
And others call it pathetic
But some totally relate

No one here likes you
Go away
Get a clue
Go back to your fucking zoo
Or whatever it is you do

I could pretend
Can’t you understand
I hate you, my friend

I hate you, my friend
I hate you, my friend

Just wanted to say Merry Christmas and share with you a little Christmas tune I recently recorded that is currently slotted to be on my next album.

The song is called “John Oszajca’s Golden Christmas Classic” and you can download it, free of charge of course, at: johnomusic.net

If you like it, please feel free to share it via my download page. Help me make this friggin’ thing go viral for the holidays!

Hope you dig it and Merry Christmas!

Just before taking off for a six-months-plus vacation in New Zealand I was able to sneak into the studio with producer, Dave Darling, for a few weeks and lay down the first half of what will be my fourth studio album. The album leans heavily Blue Grass but has a few too many four letter words and tones of “alt” for the purists out there.

Helping me out so far on the record is John Hatton of the Stray Cats on Bass, and Cody Bryant of the Riders of the Purple Sage on Fiddle, Banjo and Mandolin, and of course Dave Darling playing everything else that I can’t.

While in New Zealand I will be writing the remainder of the album and hope to have it in the can and possibly released by the end of next year.

Be sure to sign up for the mailing list, and a free track while you’re at it, in the right hand side bar to receive updates about the album’s release.