Klute (musician)

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Klute
Origin	London, England
Years active	1995–present
Genres	Drum and bass Techstep Neurofunk Techno
Labels	Metalheadz Certificate 18 Commercial Suicide

This article is about the drum and bass artist. For the industrial band formerly known as Klute, see Klutæ. For the movie, see Klute.

Klute is the primary recording alias of Tom Withers, a drum and bass and techno producer from London, UK.

Formerly a drummer and vocalist in punk band The Stupids, he turned to electronic production in the early 1990s. He released two albums 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 began his Commercial Suicide label. This released his own material, including the albums Lie, Cheat & Steal (2003) and No One's Listening Anymore (2005). Both these albums were double CDs with one drum and bass CD and another of downtempo techno and breakbeat, and both received widespread acclaim in the drum and bass community. The track "Time 4 Change" from the latter album 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, as of 2005.

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; and neither should they be classified alongside the atmospheric or "intelligent" drum and bass popularised by LTJ Bukem, nor should they be considered to be liquid funk.