British music creator also into urbex
Dead-Drop climbs a radio mast on the rooftop of an abandoned college in Huddersfiled, England. • Photos Submitted
By Tom Victoria
A British man likes to explore new ground as a musician and urban explorer.
Using the alias of Dead-Drop for both endeavors, the 26 year old presents both his adventures and music on YouTube.
Dead-Drop, who resides near Sheffield in northern England, started his urbex adventures three years ago. He explores on his days off from a standard day job.
“It’s just to encourage the safe way doing everything. I try to set a good example.”
“I enjoy missions,” he said.
In fact, computer game missions requiring a spy “dead-drop,”passing information in a secret location, is how he selected his pseudonym.
Dead-Drop typically ventures into lengthy culvert tunnels and abandoned buildings in his native England with some rock climbing and traipsing through the woods thrown in for good measure.
“I just wanted to create an experience for people,” he said about his exploration videos.
Dead-Drop checks out the view from atop a chimney in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Unlike the United States, entering an abandoned building the first time is not a criminal offense in England.
To help avoid any problems and ensure his private life remains separate, Dead-Drop wears a face wrap known as a neck gaiter or buff in England. Although his mask started out plain, he is now adorned in ones depicting distinctive skeletal jaws.
Due to the government reaction to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, Dead-Drop does not stand out anymore by having his face covered.
“Normally, I would get a lot of looks,” he said. “Now, no one gives me a second look. It’s kind of mad, really.”
Dead-Drop was hooked on urbex after catching a video filmed in first person of a group of friends climbing up a bridge.
“My hands had never been more sweaty,” he said.
Although Dead-Drop does ascend to building roofs, he sticks to less gravity-defying feats unlike the some of the more brazen YouTubers.
“I save those for the real daredevils,” he said. “I know what I am capable of.”
Dead-Drop explores a walkway under a bridge in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Dead-Drop started linking up with other urban explorers, who typically are a little younger than him, advising them to opt for less hazardous routes.
“It’s just to encourage the safe way doing everything,” he said. “I try to set a good example.”
In that same vein, Dead-Drop is wary of places with security, whether it be human or canine.
“Dogs, I am not too keen on that,” he said.
Dead-Drop even has dome some ghost hunting. His father also explores abandoned places, but his goal is to seek out restless spirits.
Although his dad, who is a medium or guide, insists he has encountered specters on his jaunts with others, Dead-Drop remains a skeptic.
“Nothing ever happens when I’m there,” he said.
Dead-Drop shows his vantage point from a roof at the abandoned college in Huddersfield.
Dead-Drop started creating music via the computer nine years ago.
“I can’t play instruments,” he said. “It was so far out of my reach.”
However, Dead-Drop has developed the ability to improvise notes on a piano from years of creating music.
He streams samples of his music two days a week, called Saturday and Wednesday Shenanigans.
Dead-Drop produces a wide variety of pieces, including instrumentals, rap and remixes. He even taught himself how to rap.
Initially, he was heavily influenced by Ephixa, the Canadian electronic music producer James Leusink, and the Scottish artist Reilly Brown, more commonly known as Mizuki, formerly called Mizuki’s Last Chance.
“But more recently, I get inspired by many different sounds and songs,” Dead-Drop said. “Always trying to dabble with new and different ideas.”
His audience has grown, but he is not satisfied yet.
“I’m still having to persevere quite a lot,” Dead-Drop said. “The audience I need still isn’t fully there. Making urbex videos definitely helped me reach a wider audience, but I’m far from making music my career.”
He said online interaction with his fans is a big boost.
“Many times, I feel defeated,” Dead-Drop said. “But having real time feedback and seeing people enjoy the stuff I’ve created when I’m streaming is one of the things that keeps me going.”
He attributed another reason being stubbornness.
“I’ve simply put too much time in to give up now,” Dead-Drop said. “I won’t allow myself to stop and waste everything I’ve invested.”
The link to Dead-Drop's YouTube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/user/DeadDrop420