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.

It’s perhaps a bit off-topic from my actual music, however, I recently wrote and released a downloadable book/course on music marketing. It’s called the Music Marketing Manifesto and it focuses on how to promote your music online. If you’re a fan, this is probably not something you need. If you’re a musician who plans on releasing an album any time soon, it might be worth taking a look. Click here to learn more >>

I’m excited to announce that  From There To Here – the documentary, is finally available for sale. As a small thank you to all of my subscribers, for the next 72 hours only, you’ll be able to pick up a copy for only $19.95. Come Monday morning the price is going up to what will be it’s regular price of $29.95.

Order it now here>>

From There To Here – the documentary, is a feature length film, directed by Charles Wurmfield (director of Legally Blonde 2, Kissing Jessica Stein, and the Hammer) and was aired on MTV2, screened at the Sundance film festival, and was the winner of the Yahoo Film Festival’s “best documentary” award.

The film was shot back in 1999 before the recent explosion of reality TV, American idol, and the making of the band, and is an accidental behind-the-scenes look into the makings of a real record deal (mine as it happens to be) and all of the colorful people and personalities that are involved with any musicians struggle to “make it” in the music business.

I’m very proud of this film, so much so that if for any reason at all you’re not happy with it, simply send it back within 30 days and I’ll refund your money- no questions asked.

If you have any questions about the film, just shoot me an email and if by chance you do pick up a copy – as always – it will be much appreciated.

Order From There To Here Now >>

Thanks and I hope you dig it,
John Oszajca

NOTE: THE INITIAL PRINTING HAS SOLD OUT. THE OFFER IS NO LONGER CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

For those of you who don’t know, My song I Hate You My Friend is featured during the end credits of the new film, What happens In Vegas, starring Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz. For a limited time you can download I Hate You My Friend by going to www.JohnOMusic.Net. Just follow the instructions on the site and “I Hate You My Friend”, as well as the single off of my latest album Elephant Graveyard, are yours for free! Enjoy!

Hey folks, if you happen to check out the soon to be released film, “What Happens in Vegas…” starring Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz, be sure to be on the listen for my song “I Hate You My Friend”. The track is slotted during the end credits. The film opens tomorrow, May 9th, in theaters around the country.

Hey Folks, I recently had the pleasure of getting to play the ghost of Gram Parsons in a soon to be released film called Other People’s Parties. I’m only in the film for one scene but it’s a funny flick and one to watch out for. The film is doing the festival thing at the moment and so I don’t have an exact release date as of yet, but for now you can check out the trailer at www.OtherPeoplesParties.com.