Viewer Discretion Advised: Stranger Encounters with Ben Folds

posted in: Features

Here at OurStage we pride ourselves on being all things music, and music videos are no exception. With so many great artists contributing video content every day, and the growing global popularity of YouTube and other video-sharing sites, we’ve decided to beef up our video discussion for your viewing pleasure. So tune in every Thursday to get the hottest video content and news around”for your eyes only!

Chances are by now you’ve heard of the internet phenomenon Chatroulette, the Web site that pairs up totally random strangers and allows them to chat via webcam. Either user can choose to leave the chat at any time by moving on to another random connection.  Chatroulette is a testament to the ability of web content to go “viral,” making the jump from 500 visitors per day to 50,000 per day in just one month.

The huge appeal of Chatroulette has to be the ability to connect with a complete stranger from anywhere in the world and move on just as quickly. As with any chat vehicle on the Internet, whacky characters are to be expected. But what about rock stars? Enter Ben Folds, front man for the alt rock band Ben Folds Five, who recently utilized the Web site for a purpose different than “casual encounters.” And we think its pretty cool.

Folds originally got the idea to launch into this viral/social/musical experiment from an otherwise unknown patron of the Internet, Merton, who first posted a video where he improved funny little jingles about Chatroulette users. Unfortunately, Merton’s original video has been removed from YouTube ” always follow terms of use, kids.
Folds went on to film the video in front of over 2,000 people during a performance in Charlotte, North Carolina. Our hats go off to him for taking a Web site that was starting to get a bad rep and using it in a new and innovative way by providing video content that is both entertaining and totally time wasting. Is this a preview of whats to come for artists seeking to connect with their audience? Who knows. Maybe next time you’re “nexting” strangers, Jay-Z could be just a click away. We won’t hold our breath, though.