The Block Mixtape
One map, one playlist, one neighborhood's worth of songs - find them on foot or from your couch.
Turn the block into a listening room.
Neighbors submit an original song they've written and recorded along with the corner they live near. Once it's reviewed, that song gets a pin on the map. And on tour day, a physical posting with a QR code at that very corner. Walk the block scanning as you go, or browse the map from wherever you are and click through to listen instead.
🚶 Walking tour
The first walking tour is tentatively scheduled for October 17th for the Ravenswood/Lincoln Square neighborhood. Other neighborhoods to follow! Each tour will have physical postings of the artist's song near where they live and you can scan it to stream that neighbor's song, listening to the "soundtrack of the neighborhood" as you go!
💻 Virtual version
Not able to walk it? Use the interactive map to browse every pin. You can filter by neighborhood, click a marker, and follow the link straight to the song, from anywhere.
Submit a song
Share a link to an original song of yours and the intersection closest to home.
It gets reviewed
Every submission is checked before it's added, so the map only ever shows confirmed postings.
The block listens
Neighbors find it on the map, click through to the song, or scan it in person on tour day.
Only reviewed submissions appear here. Names and emails are never shown publicly.
Drop a track on the map
What we accept
Original songs only, linked directly to a streaming site (ie. Spotify, Bandcamp, ReverbNation, YouTube, or similar.) No files are uploaded here, just a link.
Will your name be shared?
No. Your name and email are never made public. Only your song link, your description, and your musical style appear on the map.
What happens after you submit
- Your submission goes into a review queue and the organizer is notified by email; it won't show up automatically.
- Once approved, it's placed on the map at your intersection.
- On tour day, it also gets a physical posting with a QR code at that corner.
Thanks — it's in the queue.
Your song will appear on the map once it's been reviewed.
Frequently asked questions
How can I add my music?
Use the submission page to send us your song. We only ask that it's an original song of yours and that it can be streamed from an online platform — Spotify, Bandcamp, ReverbNation, YouTube, and similar all work.
What streaming platforms do you accept?
You can share links from most popular streaming services but please be aware that platforms such as Amazon, Apple, and Spotify will require user logins before a person can listen to your song!! Google Drive and Dropbox will also usually allow users to download songs if you give them access to a link. And SoundCloud requires you to copy through the Share area (instead of the Copy Link option) if you want to avoid an ad playing before your song. Please be aware of these limitations when sharing a link and make sure the link you share is from the most accessible platform! The types of links that would most likely get denied would be from unusual or unknown websites with potential security risks. We are also looking for links directly to a song, not to a landing page which would require confusing user navigation! Please test your links before sharing.
Will my name be shared?
No personal information — neither your name nor your email — will ever be shared publicly. Only the link to your music, a description of your song, and your musical style appear on the map.
If I give a link to my song, am I signing up for anything else?
No. Your email is simply for us to communicate with you if necessary (usually just to tell you your song is live on the map!). No emails will ever be shared.
Do the songs need to be professionally recorded?
No. As long as they are clean recordings and don't sound like you recorded it on your phone in the middle of a wind storm, it should be fine. Please don't share muffled recordings or anything that would be difficult to listen to.
How can I participate?
Just look for the dates of the walking tour, pull up a map, and make your way around the neighborhood. Flyers will be posted at each location where you can use a QR code to pull up a song. Or you can pull it up directly from your phone.
Why can't it find my street intersection?
It's free software so it's not perfect. Just find another nearby intersection if it's having trouble with yours.
Are there fees or other charges for posting my song?
Nope. This is just a fun neighborhood event being organized by some of your neighbors. We're thrilled at your contribution and want this to be something anyone can contribute to.
Who is organizing this?
Right now, this is a labor of love created after a brainstorming session with some local musicians. It is not affiliated with any organization. We are coordinating with our alderman's office and other local groups to help get the word out!! If you're interested in organizing, see below.
How can I be an organizer for my neighborhood?
It's easy! Just reach out through the contact form. The website can generate flyers based on your neighborhood selection, which means all you need to do is get the word out and post the flyers!! Everything else is ready to go!
Get in touch