W: Mandy Morgan I: @ChromeEffigy
For anyone just tuning in, Deadski is a jungle and drum & bass producer and DJ hailing from Tucson, Arizona. Relatively new to the jungle world, he connected deeply with the genre the moment he found it. Drawn to its raw energy, distinctive sound, and tight-knit community, he has been diving deeper into the movement ever since.
"That sense of discovery, joy, and forward motion is what I want the music to feel like."
If you had to picture Deadski’s sound, imagine standing in a room hearing something completely unexpected—that rush of nervous excitement where every turn promises something new. That sense of discovery, joy, and forward motion defines his production. It is music crafted to get you moving while keeping you guessing about what comes next.
When it comes to pre-stage rituals, don't expect backstage diva demands. Once soundcheck is cleared and the technical setup is locked in, Deadski slips into a low-key headspace. On the surface he stays calm and focused, but internally the hype builds, priming that energy to spill into the room the moment he hits the stage.
Rather than just fitting in, Deadski is actively carving out his own lane, representing new-school jungle straight out of Tucson and the American Southwest. Aiming to coalesce a local scene that is currently scattered across pockets, he blends experimental electronic textures, hip-hop, and his Mexican-American roots into the mix. It is a distinct personal voice that pushes the boundaries while maintaining deep respect for the genre's OGs and roots.
"The whole idea is basically me in the lab, in the DAW, trying things out, following where the track wants to go."
His latest single, ‘Research n Dev’, stems from a desire to work fast, follow the immediate energy, and release tracks while they remain fresh and unpolished. The ongoing series acts as a test lab within the framework of jungle and drum & bass, freeing him from album constraints. It is all about stepping into the DAW, following where the experiment leads, and sharing those results with the world in real time.
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Deadski considers curiosity his greatest creative asset. Having navigated genres ranging from folk and traditional Mexican music to hip-hop and experimental electronics, he is always ready to dive into unfamiliar territory. Even when stepping into the unknown, that drive to explore keeps his output evolving.
That same broad curiosity comes with its own hurdle: dipping into different musical worlds can occasionally trigger feelings of being an outsider or an impostor. Deadski counters this by immersing himself in the history, honoring the roots, and showing up authentically so that his connection to the subculture is genuine rather than aesthetic borrowing.
Over the coming year, listeners will hear the Deadski sonic blueprint come into sharp focus. Through the expansion of the Research n Dev series, upcoming EPs, and more frequent live sets, his confidence in his take on jungle is growing. Expect to hear that steady artistic evolution play out clearly across future releases.
Deadski’s musical DNA is built from an eclectic mix of eras and sounds. Nine Inch Nails and Trent Reznor have been foundational influences since his teenage years, alongside Sonic Youth and West Coast hip-hop. Experimental pioneers like Venetian Snares and Richard Devine later reshaped his approach to sound design, while modern figures like Sully, Tim Reaper, and Nullsleep continue to fuel his deep dive into contemporary rave culture.
"Trent Reznor, easily... His approach to sound design and atmosphere has practically defined the way I think about making music."
If he could open the studio doors to anyone, past or present, Trent Reznor sits comfortably at the top of the list. Reznor’s atmospheric production, sound design, and songwriting have shaped Deadski’s creative outlook since age 16, fundamentally defining how he approaches making music.
The toughest obstacle in his artistic journey was walking away from his long-term project, Sleep of Eons. Admitting he needed a fresh creative path meant letting go of an identity built over years. He pushed through by realizing that starting over wasn't starting from zero—every lesson, skill, and perspective came right along with him into Deadski.
"Starting over wasn't really starting from zero. Everything I’d learned came with me."
Looking ahead, Deadski is set on breaking two major internal boundaries. First, letting go of the requirement that every track must belong to a polished EP or album, letting Research n Dev serve as a home for rapid, intuitive releases. Second, organically weaving his Mexican-American heritage into his productions in a way that feels natural, grounded, and long overdue.
When fans drop the needle on ‘Research n Dev’, they can expect a high-octane jungle/footwork hybrid laced with flashes of hardcore and acid. Powered by shifting breakbeats and relentless sub-bass, the track offers a dynamic ride and a clear thesis statement for what the series represents.
What fuels his current focus is the sheer volume of groundbreaking music coming out of the modern jungle and drum & bass scenes. Watching producers push the sonic boundaries inspires him to keep creating and throwing his own tracks into the mix.
Live sets remain the ultimate testing ground. Right now, Deadski is most excited about dropping an unreleased track he’s been rinsing in recent sets—a crowd-tested weapon that will officially land as part of the Research n Dev lineup soon.
Rather than wild fan stories, the most memorable moments for Deadski stem from genuine connection. Post-show conversations with people who resonated with the set capture the positive, high-energy atmosphere he aims to build at every event.
If ‘Research n Dev’ were a movie soundtrack? It would lock in as the backing track to a Forza Horizon film directed by Kane Parsons—chaotic, fast-paced, and wildly visual.