When iTunes first added podcast support way back in 2005, C.C. Chapman’s Accident Hash was one of the first shows I browsed. Each episode features a few songs; almost all of them are written and performed by independent musicians. Over the years I’ve been exposed to hundreds of great bands on the Hash and on other podcasts, and it’s really ignited my love of independent music.

To be honest, though, discovered songs and artists from podcasts were mostly just a form of entertainment while driving or working while my music collection played on my iMac or iPod touch… that is, until yesterday. I’d just woken up and was processing the email I’d received overnight. Among the messages was a newsletter from Eventful, a great local events site. Normally I’d just skim the event listings and delete the message; I stay subscribed on the off chance that I’d recognize an act coming to the area.

Sure enough, one of the names on the list sounded familiar; Rebecca Loebe was going to be playing that night at my alma mater, the University of Maine.  I did a quick search and found that, yes, I’d heard recorded performances of Rebecca’s “Grace” and other songs on none other than Accident Hash. I decided I’d take the short drive up to Orono to watch her perform in person. I’d always loved her sweet voice and somewhat quirky (in a good way) yet charming songs.

By sheer coincidence, my normal Tuesday night routine includes watching a live, weekly online concert by Matthew Ebel, another artist played often on the Hash. I brought my PowerBook with me to Orono and ate dinner while watching Matt’s video stream and chat room. I mentioned in the chat that I was watching Rebecca set up, and Matthew revealed that he had played just after Rebecca at a show at the Lizard Lounge in Boston two weeks earlier.

The show itself was great. Rebecca and her tour partner Jenn Grinels were both amazing. After the show I spoke for a bit with Rebecca, told her about how I discovered her music, and said hello to her from Matthew. I also bought a CD from each of the artists, and they’re both on heavy rotation now.

Online connections never cease to amaze me. In a single day, I’d listened to two wonderful, independent musicians from Atlanta (Rebecca) and Boston (Matthew). I’d never heard Rebecca’s music on the radio, and she had only played in Maine one other time before last night. The ways to find and connect with fans keep growing and changing every day… and every once in a while, your day ends with a really great performance and really great music.

You should buy Rebecca’s music. It’s good stuff. She’s also @rebeccaloebe on Twitter. Matthew is @matthewebel. His music is also great, and you can buy it here. While you’re at it, buy some Jenn Grinels music. All three of them are 5-star artists. Rebecca also has a ton of shows coming up – go check if she’s heading your way!

I’ve been thinking a lot about these street performers lately and how an online crowd can build just as quickly. Like the audiences gathering outside Quincy Market, these online crowds often share an interest or purpose. Most of the people in the crowd have never met – and most will never see each other again.

This morning, one such crowd of people across the globe formed around a common event: a temporary glitch in Google’s search results pages. Hundreds of Twitter users reported their experience in an effort to determine the scope of the problem.

And while it’s widely known that famous Twitterers can garner follower crowds of thousands on the microblogging site, there was no better example of the speed of crowd formation than when Soleil Moon Frye, an actress best known for the title role in the TV series Punky Brewster, began to tweet. Within 24 hours of her first tweet, more than 3,000 people were following her account.

Twitter may be considered an for digital street performers. As we continue to see, online crowds hold much more power to engage with those stationed outside the online Quincy Market.

Photo by Ecnerwal.

Many users of Twitter found posts from their followers announcing the death of NBC political analyst Tim Russert this afternoon in their Twitterstreams. As the news spread, the Twitter crowd mentioned some of their memories of election nights, whiteboards, and episodes of “Meet the Press”. People from all over the globe put aside their political differences and remembered their favorite moments of a great reporter.

As the tweets came flowing in, a new type of memorial formed at conversational tracking sites like Summize. A search for “russert” revealed a broad compilation of announcements, emotions, and well wishes. A real-time anthology of reactions evolved as more Twitter users learned of Russert’s passing.

Maps of 100 recent Twitter users who posted about Tim Russert today. Images created with the Summize, Twittervision, and Google Maps APIs.

Now, just hours after the first announcement of Russert’s death, hundreds (if not thousands) of people around the world have joined an impromptu community and contributed to this new form of spontaneous memorial. It’s a fitting tribute for a journalist by those who watched and respected his insight.