If you haven't already downloaded our exclusive MP3 mix from E*Rock and DJ 1996 Olympixx, do it now. If you have, here's what E*Rock, the man behind the Audio Dregs label, has to say about his adopted home.

DazedDigital: How did you end up in Portland? 

E*Rock: It seemed like an open scene at the time, frontierland, so I loaded all my belongings in a car and drove out, having never visited. That was ten years ago, maybe.

DD: What's the best thing about Portland? 

E*R: It's pretty open and laid back still. I can make my own creative lifeforce zone without much difficulty, and I can still can afford to travel, partially because you don't have to own a car to live here like most American cities. 

DD: What's the worst thing about Portland? 

E*R: It's growing so fast, it may burn out soon if the crap newbies don't understand the sustainability factor that make the city work. 

DD: What was your most memorable Portland gig? 

E*R: The first that comes to mind is my old noise band The Unsounds playing Todd P's "forty bands doing five minute sets" birthday shows back in the day, for the sheer number of air-born 40 oz. bottles and the number of people that jumped on-stage tackled our polar bear and myself, knocking the wind out of us under a pile of bodies. Somehow no one every really got seriously hurt at those shows.

DD: What's your favourite Portland spot? 

E*R: I like my "studio". If I leave the house, I like Holocene for shows, and Tin Shed for breakfast. 

DD: What are the best Portland bands that we haven't heard of? 

E*R: Lips & Ribs.