Djrum

Felix Manuel, better known by his stage name Djrum (stylised as DjRUM; ), and later training as a jazz pianist. He learned to DJ after inheriting a collection of jazz records from his mother, experimenting with mixing jazz and trip-hop. This led him to later explore other genres including funk, soul and drum and bass.

Career

Early career (2010–2016) Manuel started his music career DJing bass music, ragga and jungle at squat parties. He regularly performed with the Yardcore Crew in London, and presented a monthly radio show on Sub.FM playing garage, dubstep, drum and bass, gabber and breakcore. Finding success as part of the 2010s post-dubstep scene, he followed up with a second EP on the same label. however Resident Advisor described the release as dated, stating "Djrum could very well have a great album in him, but unfortunately this isn't it".

R&S Records and Portrait with Firewood (2017–2023) Following his debut LP, Manuel released a trilogy of EPs Soon after, he signed with R&S Records and released the EP Broken Glass Arch in November 2017.

In 2018, Manuel released his follow-up LP on R&S titled Portrait with Firewood. The album, inspired by the work of performance artist Marina Abramović, sampled chamber instruments and spoken-word. The album has been described as an "intensely personal exploration" and showing a "dark beauty". The arrangements used were noted to expand from Manuel's previous sample-based works with extensive live instrumentation including his own piano improvisations, and contributions from cellist Zosia Jagodzinska. Manuel discussed his influences and process in an interview with The Vinyl Factory following the release:

Throughout 2017, as I obsessively worked on my album, I plunged myself into my own introspective world, partly looking for subject matter, and partly looking for answers. I thought about my own life situation, my personal identity, and how I relate to the outside world and people around me. I often distracted myself from the music by watching scenes from movies, documentaries, interviews and so on. The two things that influenced, or at lease resonated with, my thinking the most were Francis Bacon, particularly his interviews with David Sylvester, and footage of Marina Abramovic's works I found on YouTube. — Interview with The Vinyl Factory

Houndstooth Records and Under Tangled Silence (2024–present) In 2024, Manuel released his first solo record since 2019 with Meaning's Edge on Houndstooth Records. This release continued his approach seen on Portrait with Firewood of recording live instruments, in particular the flute. Specific flutes used in the arrangements include the bansuri, shakuhachi, and a western classical flute. Significant musical influences in the work were noted to include dubstep, braindance, post-classical, grime and singeli. The EP peaked at number 15 on the UK official album charts, and number 2 on the official dance music album charts.

In April 2025, Manuel released his third full-length album titled Under Tangled Silence, also on Houndstooth, Which peaked at number 9 on the official UK album charts and number 1 on the official dance album charts.

In support of the album's release, Manuel announced a 32-date international tour with dates at clubs including London's Fabric, Paris' Essaim and Primavera Sound.

In 2026, Manuel released 'I Wander EP' on Houndstooth Records, which was characterised by its use of chaotic breakbeats, jazz influences and experimental approach. Artistry

DJ and performance style Manuel's DJ sets are known for their constant shifting throughout a wide range of genres and styles. Often his sets will incorporate many different corners of music, combining rave genres (such as dubstep, drum and bass, breakcore, house, techno etc.) with contrasting mellow styles (including trip-hop, jazz, soul, classical and ambient).

Influences Musically, Manuel takes influence from a wide range of genres including jazz, jungle, trip-hop, dubstep, breakcore, dub and techno. Aside from music however, Manuel draws much of his artistic inspiration from his own introspection, sense of identity and personal connections to the world around him, as well as drawing influences from other forms of art including the works of Marina Abramović and Francis Bacon.

Discography

Studio albums

Seven Lies – 2013 Portrait with Firewood – 2018 Under Tangled Silence – 2025

Extended plays and singles

Plead With Me – 2010 St Martin – 2010 Watermark – 2012 "Plantain" / "What I Was Doing When I Was Doing What I Was Doing" – 2015 Forgetting EP – 2016 LA – 2016 Space Race – 2016 Broken Glass Arch – 2017 "Hard to Say" / "Tournesol" – 2019 Meaning's Edge – 2024 "Come Find Me" – 2025 'I Wander EP' - 2026