Klute
Interviewed for Riffin' by Webjockey Fashionboyz
Check out the DJ Klute's Rifflist on Riffin.com: My Top Tracks
Free Track Download: "Our Leader" by Klute
Klute is the alter ego of UK drum 'n' bass DJ and producer, Tom Withers. With a wide range of beats per minute and textured overlays, his sound fills the void between the commercialism of LTJ Bukem and the experimentation of Squarepusher
Riffin': What lead to your decision to launch your own label, Commercial Suicide, in 2001?
Klute: I had just come out of contract with my label Certificate 18, and I wanted to do something different and no one else would have me, so what ya gonna do?
Riffin': What is it like to have worked on releases for your label with such DJs as Calibre, Total Science, Digital and D. Kay?
Klute: Mesmerizing
Riffin': Before delving into electronica, you fronted a skate-punk band, The Stupids. What lessons did you learn from that experience?
Klute: I learned that it's f***ing hard work working with a frustrated Neil Young wanna be who couldn't sing. Those were awesome times, just going full pelt without stopping to look where we were going, thankfully it fell apart and I moved on.
Riffin': Your musical endeavors go far beyond labeling you as just a Drum n' Bass artist. What motivates your various musical explorations?
Klute: Just the fact that I listen to many different kinds of music. As much as I love d&b, it can be very limiting. It's defined by its speed.
Riffin': What do you think lies ahead for the future of electronic music?
Klute: I have no idea, it's not exactly flavour of the moment these days but like anything it comes in waves, it'll be back, probably as I'm about to strap on a guitar.
Riffin': Tell us about your self-titled, recently released album, which came out in July from Breakbeat Science.
Klute: F*** man, its just amazing. I mean, Come on!
Riffin': Do you have any funny/scary fan stories to share?
Klute: There was a guy in Switzerland I met one time and somehow he got a hold of my number and while I was away for a weekend. He left like 10 messages, each time trying to leave a message and hanging up, getting a little further each time. The final message he managed to spit out he wanted to visit me in London before you heard his mother storm into the room and scream at him for using the phone. Didn't hear from him again.
Riffin': What has been your most memorable live performance?
Klute: There's been a few, but I think 5 hours in Wellington, New Zealand in 2001. I had to pee in a beer glass!
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