The Chicago music scene is an enormous, thriving thing. Bands form, dissolve, reform every day. People gather in clubs for shows every single night. Keeping track of it all is a weighty task for even the most intrepid scene-scouts, but thankfully, there are dudes on the internet who have got your back. 

Chicago Mixtape was founded by Casey Meehan earlier this year. Sign up with your email address and you'll receive a weekly .zip file full of tracks from local bands playing shows during that week. Not only do you get a generous helping of free music every week, but you'll get to automatically preview shows going down in your vicinity. 

Meehan and his Mixtape have quickly become a regular hub of the Chicago music community. The service provides a nifty alternative to the music blog by cutting to the chase and loading up your inbox with downloads. Bands get to submit their tunes to a wide show-going audience and easily broaden their listener base. It's a happy little symbiotic relationship that has helped to close the gap between awesome music and eager fans. There have even been a few Mixtape-hosted evenings around town, where the best up-and-coming local bands have had the chance to show off their chops. 

Really, you have no reason not to sign up for weekly presents unless you're a buzzkill who hates music and America. Do it now.