I am screaming “TEST” into a microphone, and second’s later “test” is playing out the speakers of the computer next to me. That may not seem amazing, but what’s really happening here is that my voice is being streamed live across the internet, and anyone interested can listen in. This is all done via Web 2.0 developer Lightspeed Audio Labs new website, JamNow.com. JamNow is a new music/social networking site whose prime focus is aspiring artists who want to get their music out to the world. 

My first experience with JamNow goes smoothly. In only a few minutes I am registered, logged in and downloading the program necessary to stream live. Using the dark voodoo of LightSpeeds unique applications and network services, I am able to start a session and play for the screaming masses (no guarantee they’re screaming with enjoyment). I can play solo, or with my band; who don’t necessarily have to be present if they are set up on JamNow as well. In fact, if I want I can hook up with random strangers to jam, or friends in other cities. I spend some time setting up my profile, which lets me list things like instruments played, musical influences, write a bio, etc. The setup draws comparisons to MySpace. Ah, but this isn’t just a social networking site. There is jamming to be done!  

With the JamNow program downloaded, I am ready to start playing. It’s easy to get started. I click on Start a Jam on the JamNow homepage; choose Jam Solo (or Group Jam, if you prefer) which open up the JamNow app and start streaming! One interesting aspect of the JamNow setup comes in the form of audience participation. Friends can join your session as an audience member, and interact with you vocally or through the built in Jam Chat feature. The JamNow app acts as a mixing board, I can marks takes which I can later edit, cutting out individual songs as I see fit by clicking edit session. When I have a track saved that I am happy with I just hop back onto the JamNow site where my tracks are listed under songs on my homepage. It’s as easy as a click to upload the finished tracks to my profile for others to enjoy at will.  

For the average user, a microphone is all that is needed to get their tunes online. I spent some time singing (badly) into the mike, and was able to listen to myself as I was streamed through a friends PC. Of course, a home computer mike isn’t going produce the best quality. Thankfully, the JamNow manual gives some helpful suggestions on various setups that may be used for improved sound quality, and instructions on how to hook it all up for easy use.  

But this site is not intended only for ambitious up and comers. After setting up some jams of my own, I started searching for others. The site currently has approximately 500 registered users, and a good chunk of these are signed bands. A recent live session by Trustkill Records Crash Romeo seemed a good place to start. After finding their profile, I started listening to some cuts (recorded live) off their upcoming album. This is pretty cool. Crash Romeo got together and showcased some new material, and any fan that felt like it had the opportunity to listen in, live. After the set there is a brief interview with the band. Each track is cut up and posted on the bands homepage. It’s a great promotional tool, and I am sure it’s a real treat for the fans. This is like catching a concert from my living room. You know how exciting it is when a favorite band plays a new song or two when they pass through town? It’s like that, except you don’t have to wait until they come in concert. You can even rate the band if you like, or add them as one of your “faves”.  

Another good example I found was Eleven Seven Music’s The Exies. Promoting their iTunes exclusive reissue of their latest album “A Modern Way of Living With the Truth” Chris Skane (the Exies guitarist) hosted a JamNow broadcast. He played some tracks, including a new single, the iTunes only song “God We Look Good”. I was expecting something similar to Crash Romeos live recording, but that was not the case. This is more of a long interview interspersed with the occasional song. Not exactly what I was expecting, but it’s another illustration of how this site can be used. Chris gives us some insight into the ideas behind the album, the type of thing once relegated to various fansites and magazine articles. JamNow provides a home for bands interested in sharing more of themselves than the occasional blog or interview. Imagine, a band could even give fans a taste of new material in real time from inside the studio. As far as I know, that’s completely unprecedented, at least to a mass audience.  

My test run with JamNow complete, I take a moment to reflect. This site has enormous potential, and Lightspeed seems like a company that can make it work. One of the founders of LightSpeed is Schuyler Quackenbush, co-creator of the MP3 format, a monumental achievement pivotal in bringing about in the digital age of music we now enjoy. Of course, it’s still in its beta phase. While anyone can join and listen in, at the moment the only people able to play together are in what is being referred to as the “rock triangle” of Boston, Charlotte N.C and Milwaukee and everything in between. LightSpeed intends to add Los Angeles and Las Vegas to the equation by the end of summer. It’s a good bet the site will continue to improve as it moves out of its beta phase to become a quality place people can gather to create and listen to music. In the meantime, we’ll see if it can make me in to an internet phenomenon!

*Want to win a brand new I-Pod Nano?  Well make sure to get on over to the contest section by clicking here and find out what you need to do!!!