2007 Hot Issue

HOT TREND: The YouTube Folk Revival

Shortly after Bruce Springsteen's Magic leaked to the Internet, you could find instantaneous covers of nearly half the songs on YouTube from enterprising young folkies who'd figured out the chords, transcribed the lyrics and pressed "record." These days, YouTube has become the new open mike, and it's flooded with more acoustic guitars and harmonica racks than the sidewalks of Greenwich Village in 1962. Search for Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" and you'll find countless unknowns performing cover versions, from a dude in a Mexican wrestling mask who turns out to be an expert fingerpicker to a guy who has uploaded no fewer than ninety cover songs under the name coldironsbound82. All it takes is a Webcam, a well-chosen cover tune and a willingness to endure not-so-friendly commenters. "Some people said they've heard cats sing better than me," sighs one brave YouTuber, Mateus Salgado, who's covered Neil Young and others.

The youngest and cutest performers tend to rack up the most views -- but there's room for grizzled vets too. "I hear there's a great old bearded dude doing bluegrass versions of my tunes," says KT Tunstall, who's the frequent recipient of cover tributes. (Check out Kiersten Holine's take on Tunstall's "Stoppin' the Love.") "I would have been all over that shit if it had been invented when I started out." The trend has become so widespread, it's inevitable labels will want in. (Did we mention Holine has her own CD coming out?) This summer, when numerous stripped-down versions of Rihanna's "Umbrella" turned up online, an ultrapopular clip by Marié Digby surfaced. Turns out Digby is signed to Hollywood Records. That twist led to fears that The Man was encroaching on this cozy virtual scene, which Digby denies. "I always go to YouTube to learn new songs," she says. "And I wanted to learn the Rihanna song. I did this on my own."

Still, not every amateur musician is seeking a record deal. Some just want to share their music the only way they know how. "I don't think I'm that great of a singer anyway," says Scottish lad Jodie Stewart, who's covered Dylan tunes. "I'm not one for playing in front of people." --NICOLE FREHSEE AND KEVIN O'DONNELL