Meet Hermosa Beach’s very own DJ DiK. Here is a guy that may have it all figured out. This DJ lives a block from the beach in Hermosa Beach, California where the waves are perfect and the sun sets like a perfect painting. Right around the corner is an awesome lounge called Ocean Bar where DJ DIK sets the party off for all the local surfers and hot chicks. Maybe he fell into the situation or planned it but either way it’s not a bad way of life and all we can do is respect it.
In The Beginning
Richard Podgurski, aka DJ Dik, truly has followed his dreams. The 2002 Redondo Union High School graduate discovered turntables and DJ-ing during his junior year, which would later lead him to drop out of his studies in sociology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
“I left the island to finish school and pursue my DJ goals…I wanted to be fully committed,” says Dik. “I’ve always wanted to run my own business, since I was an 8-year-old kid washing my neighbors’ cars to buy turtles for my backyard. So college wasn’t really my thing.”
Of course, not all careers are found in a text book. A job is a job, a career is a life. Hopefully a job doesn’t become a life, and the choicest careers are based in passion. Dik began to realize that.
“My very, very, very first ‘gig’ was at a friend’s birthday party, junior year of high school. His dad tipped us both 50 bucks and I quickly realized I could get paid devoting my life to making people dance and smile!”
“My first paid club gig was at Sangria in Hermosa Beach when I was 17 and was snuck through the back door to open for my mentor [Jason Pursley]. Some older friends and neighbors happened to catch my set and told me I had huge potential and should stick with it. On my walk home from the beach the next day I walked into Dano’s, which is The Shore now, and convinced the GM to pay me to play the next month’s Saturdays, only based on the fact that I had experience playing at Sangria. The next four Saturdays while I DJ’d, my parents came out to support me like it was one of my high school volleyball games… From there on out I’ve been hustling for gigs and never looked back.”
Dik’s yearning to get a room bumping and spinning followed him to the island.
“I had my turntables shipped out there so I could make some scratch on the side,” he recalled. “I scored a residency at a bar-club in downtown Waikiki, and gained popularity playing some of the biggest parties the campus housing could handle… It later led to a dorm/housing trespass ban, where I couldn’t even step foot on housing grounds or I could get arrested. I saved the legal documentation as a sentimental trophy of excellence. I lived on the island for another year, and it constantly felt like I had no future working so hard on a pebble in the middle of the ocean.”
DJ Dik oversees weekend entertainment at the Ocean Bar in Hermosa Beach Thurs-Sun, while typically DJ-ing every other Friday night. He’ll be playing the D-Man Festival at Redondo’s Seaside Lagoon this Saturday and will also be personally DJ-ing SOL Sundays on Sept 11. For info or booking, contact DIK@DJDIK.com
Web Links: Facebook | SoundCloud | Youtube | Twitter | Website
Photos:
Interview
How did you get started as a DJ?
17 years old was my first legit club gig ever… but i think playing my dads drums growing up and my best friend owning Technics contributed to my start as a DJ.
Where is your favorite club to perform?
Right now its 1 block from my house at a roof top lounge called Ocean Bar in Hermosa Beach… but my Favorite 500+ capacity nightclub is the Ivy in San Diego
What club brings in the finest ladies?
Ocean Bar for sure… its right on the Beach and surrounded by very successful people so naturally they flock the salmon of capistrano
How old where you when you got your first turn tables?
I picked up the Stanton Scratch Pack when i was like 16… got rid of those in less then a year because i quickly realized no price tag was too high for a legit pair of Technics
What separates you from other DJ’s?
Im different because not onyl do i bring tons of energy to the stage … Im also not afraid to pop off with some really new un tested tracks during peak hours. I like to stay very current and no tow sets are the same. I literally wing it every time and its been working. Makes me less nervous not setting up an exact set. Just have to go with whats right for that moment at any given venue or special event.
What sounds and artist got you into DJ’s?
Growing up in LA i always looked up to the DJ’s on the radio… mainly power 106. I was too young to go to clubs and check out other DJ’s myself so thats all i had to listen to for new inspiration and new types of mixes.
Who is your favorite Rapper?
Slug aka Atmosphere. he raps about love and things that actually matter in life. Tribe Called Quest collectively is rad because of their club friendly style and energy. i wish i could play more rap nowa days but big nightclubs are basically all banging house and electro (during peak hour at least)
What is one of your most memorable experiences as a DJ?
Lately ive felt like ive been having one every weekend. traveling to so many cities all summer has really ramped up memorable experiences. But i will never forget back in highschool we threw an impromptu back yard RAGER after our class senior group shot. We all got let out of school after lunch time… long story short people were doing keg stands in their graduation robes. I miss those days.
Who is your favorite Mixed Magazine Model?
The one on the cover or on the next page LOL
What’s the hottest song right now?
Im sure whatever i say now wont be ”hot” by the time this article is released so im going to have to pass on this one. So much good new music comes out every week a change my mind almost every gig.
What is your favorite song ever if you had to choose just one?
That’s not even a fair question to ask a DJ. really??? ever???
Who will win the NBA Championship?
Lakers. duh.
How could life for you get any better?
Playing internationally. China and Japan have huge markets for high energy open format / house DJ’s like myself and wouldn’t mind spending some time broadening my horizons
Who is your favorite DJ of all time?
A.M. … he was a true Jockey of Discs. Favorite producer DJ??? Sounds cliche but DeadMau5’s shows are off the hook.
Do you have a schedule where people can catch you do work on the ones and twos?
Yes on my Facebook Fan page. I have residencies up and down the West coast… Mainly in LA and San Diego.
Videos
Soundclips
DJ DIK – LIVE at Ocean Bar July 2011 by DJDIK
My Heart Will Go Dub (DJ DIK+SubShocker Russian ReFix) by DJDIK
DJ DIK – Los Hermosa by DJDIK
Experience
11 Years of DJing and played at some venues listed below:
Music Box (Hollywood CA)
BETA Nightclub (Denver CO)
Ocean Bar (Hermosa Beach CA)
Crocker Club (Downtown LA)
Couture w/ Liquid Productions (Portland OR)
The Griffen (Las Vegas NV)
Kress (Hollywood CA)
Grand Opening of Sharkeez (Manhattan Beach CA)
Sloane Squared (San Francisco CA)
HardRock Pool Party (San Diego CA)
Fleetwood (San Diego CA)
Heat Ultra Lounge (Orange County CA)
Mazer Summer Booze Cruise (Long Beach Harbor CA)
Wilshire (Santa Monica CA)
WFTW 2011 6Man After party (Manhattan Beach CA)
12+Highland 6Man After party (Manhattan Beach CA)
Voodoo Beach at Rio Hotel (Las Vegas NV)
Dana Point Marriot Corporate Events (Dana Point CA
Kaloa ”Brother” Andino’s Birthday Hosted by RedBull (San Clemente CA)
U.S. Open Redbull Team Mixer at HB Brew CO (Huntington Beach)
Bar west w/ Dj Here Productions (Pacific Beach CA)
H wood Tea Room (Hollywood CA)
Le Phare Nightclub (New Orleans LA)
Republic Nightclub (New Orleans LA)
Cal State Long Beach Annual Cauter Fashion Show (Long Beach CA)
Beachfront 301 (Huntington Beach CA)
Watermans Hb (Hermosa Beach
Juke Nightclub (Denver CO)
Aura Nightclub (Portland OR)
Jamie O’Brians ”Who is J.O.B.” VIdeo Premier after party (Newport Beach CA)
Ocean Bar (Hermosa Beach CA)
Movie Colony Hotel (Palm Springs CA)
Gensler Global Architecture Xmas Party (Downtown LA)
Boudoir (San Diego CA)
944 Magazine Xmas Party (San Diego)
HerbaLife Corporate Events (Newport Beach CA / Las Vegas NV)
Live Performance with Shock G
Tommy Lasorda Wine event (Downtown LA)
