Klute (musician)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Klute

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Img_capt = Klute in Moscow in 2007
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Background = non_performing_personnel
Birth_name = Tom Withers
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Origin = London, England
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Genre = Drum and bass, techno, punk, techstep, neurofunk
Occupation = Musician
Years_active = 1980–present
Label = Commercial Suicide Certificate 18 31 Records Hospital Records Soul:R Metalheadz Breakbeat Science Recordings
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Klute is the primary recording alias of Tom Withers, the respected drum and bass and techno Producer and DJ from London, UK.

Formerly the drummer, vocalist and songwriter in the punk band The Stupids, he turned to electronic production in the early 1990s. He released two 12" under the Override alias in 1995-96, as well as appearing on Ninja Tune compilations. In 1998 the debut Klute LP "Casual Bodies" was released on the seminal Certificate 18 imprint; "Fear of People" followed in 2000.

In 2001 he established the label Commercial Suicide. This released his own material, including the albums "Lie, Cheat & Steal" (2003), "No One's Listening Anymore" (2005) and most recently "The Emperor's New Clothes" (2007). All of these albums are double CDs with one drum and bass CD and another of downtempo techno and breakbeat, and received widespread acclaim in the electronic music community. The track "Time 4 Change" from "No One's Listening Anymore" was the last tune played on-air by John Peel.

The label has also released tracks from artists like Amit, Break, Digital, Spirit, Calibre, Hive, SKC and Chris Su, establishing itself as one of the bigger players in drum and bass.

Klute's style of drum and bass is strongly influenced by techno. It is deep and progressive, with flavours of house, dub and trance, and frequent use of vocals. Although Klute is one of the most melodic and musical producers in drum and bass, his tracks are still typically intended for the DJ and dancefloor. They should not be classified alongside the atmospheric or "intelligent" drum and bass popularised by LTJ Bukem, nor should they be considered to be liquid funk.

As well as releasing music on his own label, Klute has releases on Hospital Records, 31 Records, Soul:R, Metalheadz and Breakbeat Science Recordings.

External links

* [http://www.commercialsuicide.org Commercial Suicide official site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/commercialsuiciderecords Commercial Suicide - MySpace Page]
* [http://www.myspace.com/kluteuk Klute - MySpace Page]
* [http://www.residentadvisor.net/dj-page.aspx?id=1527 Klute - RA DJ Page]
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* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:p9en9757krdt~T1 Allmusic.com biography]