Julia Nunes / Ben Folds

People tend to separate the internet from the outside world. Cyberspace is seen as a bit of life that is not an actual part of life. But sometimes the internet affects the real world in huge ways.

YouTube musician Julia Nunes was a sensation in herself, but when she posted a cover to the Ben Folds song Gone, a big thing happened. The song was a big hit, and Ben Folds was so impressed by it – the cover and her music – that he invited her to go on tour with him. Ben Folds is Julia Nunes’ favorite musician.

There was no contest or competition. YouTube was the only thing in play. Julia Nunes received this awesome opportunity because YouTube made the connection possible.

Julia Nunes' videosong cover of Gone by Ben Folds.

 Julia Nunes performing Gone with Ben Folds

VideoSongs

YouTube is full of musicians, just waiting to be heard, promoted, and made infamous.
But as Marshall McLuhan says, "the medium is the message."
Tons of YouTube musicians record covers and original songs, but there's a new format that seems to be taking hold: VideoSongs.

A VideoSong is "a new medium with 2 rules:
1. What you see is what you hear (no lip-syncing for instruments or voice).
2. If you hear it, at some point you see it (no hidden sounds)."
- according to YouTube musician Jack Conte, who presumably created the medium.



The VideoSong is a great medium because it allows the viewer feel participatory with the musician. They get to see everything that goes into a song. This is also a great way for musicians to learn from each other. Jack Conte's style, like that of many others, is heavily based on found objects and playing conventional instruments unconventionally.

But Jack Conte's VideoSongs don't just sound great, they also look great. He clearly puts a great amount of effort into making them visually stunning, which they are. He uses professional software and equipment, and he is trained in video production. His videos show just as much creativity as his songs do, and the VideoSong is a great way to display both.