Music unites. Music inspires. Music eats up your bandwidth.

Now there's a new way to enjoy all the benefits online music has to offer: Turntable.fm.

Turntable's premise is simple: you have up to 5 DJs at a time, taking turns playing tracks from a vast library (everything from "Werewolves of London" to "Howlin' for You" and Harry Nilsson to Wolf Parade), as well as your own uploads. You hit 'Awesome' or 'Lame' during songs to add or subtract DJ points. Use those DJ points to get new avatars and earn serious cred in the room.

What makes Turntable different from other popular streaming music sites like Pandora and Grooveshark is the real-time social aspect. You're in a room with friends and strangers, all playing off each other to see who can get the most heads bobbing. Plus, with the chat feature people can call out requests, come up with new theme challenges or talk about the next "big thing."

And, just as blogs serve as the voice of your company, Turntable can serve as your soundtrack. Invite folks to join your room, show 'em what kind of vibe you have at your workplace (or space). Twitter HQ, Foursquare and Zynga all have rooms on the site, and Silicon Prairie highlighted a few local examples in a recent story on Iowa startups hosting their own Turntable rooms.

Though it's still in private beta (you need to know someone on Facebook who's on it to get in), it's easy to see potential in Turntable.fm — assuming things stay on the up and up with the RIAA. In fact, they just recently added "Buy" links to songs, so there's affiliate money to be had.

• Advertising is definitely a possibility. The time on site numbers have to be incredible.
• Plus, major players like Starbucks and Target - companies who have partnered with artists for exclusive releases in the past - can take their eclectic mix straight to streaming to add a sonic side to their brand.
• Game developers have already used a live Sir Mix-a-Lot room to promote their latest venture. Is it only a matter of time before there are sponsored rooms and golden tickets to get in? ("See what Artist X is spinning for the next 2 hours.")
• And, who knows what those DJ points could also get you in the future?

It's fun. It's a breath of fresh air. And it's incredibly addictive. In fact, I composed half this blog while spinning in the 3 Guys from Iowa room. Stop by and jam with us some time.