DJ Dan

DJ Dan – Host of Deep Dive with DJ Dan

DJ Dan is a Seattle-based musician, producer, and radio host, and a proud member of the Tseshaht First Nation, part of the Nuu-chah-nulth people of Port Alberni, British Columbia. His show, Deep Dive with DJ Dan, explores the rich and evolving world of Indigenous music—spotlighting Native artists from around the globe and weaving together traditional, contemporary, and experimental sounds.

Born to migrant working parents, Dan spent his early years traveling throughout the West Coast, Southwest, and Canada before settling in Central Washington. It was there, on a rural farm, that his love for music first took root. At 14, he picked up drums and bass guitar, playing with friends and local bands while growing a deep connection to country, rock, and Americana.

Dan’s journey brought him to Seattle, where he expanded into songwriting and guitar, and led the alt-country band Johnson County—a fixture in the local scene for 17 years. Over the years, he explored a wide range of genres including punk, metal, grunge, and psychedelic rock.

The COVID shutdown became a turning point. Dan built a home studio and launched Son of Sea Urchin, a solo project that blends his Indigenous identity with a unique musical style—honoring his cultural roots while pushing creative boundaries.

After gaining airplay on Daybreak Star Radio, Dan was invited to host his own weekly show. Through Deep Dive, he now shares his passion for Indigenous music and storytelling, helping listeners connect with the voices, rhythms, and histories of Native cultures around the world.

Dan continues to live and create in Seattle with his wife, and remains committed to uplifting Indigenous artists, deepening his own cultural and musical knowledge, and honoring the traditions of his Tseshaht community.