A mash-up of iTunes and Facebook is changing how people around the world are listening to music.

budtobud, a game-changing, free music app developed right here in Calgary, lets you see what music your friends are listening to in real time, from anywhere in the world. You can even chat and listen in with them.

“I’ve got friends in France, Romania, back east and we’re listening to music together, just like if we would be next to each other,” said Patrick Rousseau, co-founder of the app.

Besides the shared listening experience, the app gives users a chance to discover new music.

“It’s actually just opened up a whole new world of music, kind of at your fingertips,” said budtobud user, Christian Chattaway.

He likened the app to a music festival.

“You have five or six different stages at the same time. You can pick and choose [which of your friend’s music you want to listen in on.]

Rousseau said the shared listening experience his app brings is missing from music now days.

“You used to be able to take you record or CD to your friend’s house or listen to whatever they have next to each other,” he said.

“That went away.”

To download the app for iPhone or iPad visit budtobud.com