Competition: Win Commercial Suicide Compilation & Merchandise

Back in December the Commercial Suicide label released their first compilation (you can hear clips of it below), building on over a decade of experience and releases. Headed up by Klute, aka Tom Withers, the label has extensively pushed their own agenda within drum & bass since 2001, becoming home to respected artists like Amit and Break. Toting such an exclusive lineup of tracks from artists new and old, we thought we’d catch up with Klute once again to try and get the lowdown behind the thought that went into the compilation.

He’s also been so kind as to offer up a copy of the compilation on vinyl and on CD, plus a Commercial Suicide t-shirt and cap to one lucky person. To put your hat into the ring simply emails us with ‘Commercial Suicide Killed Me’ in the subject header before Klute and co. takeover Room Three at RAM on the 10th February.

So this compilation has been 10 years in the making…? How do you even start compiling something so expansive?
There was lots of coffee and long nights. The biggest stress was working out how to fit it all onto one CD. So many people rely on quantity rather than quality so I wanted the compilation to be concise and straight to the point. I decided I wanted to represent the label in the here and now and looking forward instead of harping on about the past.

There’s been a lot of great moments over the last 10 years, it’s great to reminisce but I’d rather get on with it and keep moving. It’s genuinely a great album and best experienced as a CD. It’s designed to be listened to as well as taken apart as DJ tools. It’s a shame to pick things apart and take only what initially appeals to you. I definitely chose the tracks so they would fit as a whole.



Tell us a bit about the artists involved… are they all people you’ve worked with for a long time?
Some, like Calibre, Break and Amit, have been working with me for years now. Amit's done 2 albums and numerous singles; Break has done about 6 singles which has been compiled into a digital album so you have guys like that, newer artists like Nymfo, Dose and Dub Phizix and a few guest artists as well. I like to work with like minded people so it would be a pleasure to keep working with everyone who has contributed to the album.

There’s a line in the press release that states a great compilation can define an era. Do you look at this compilation as defining 10 years of Commercial Suicide or 10 years of drum & bass?
I think in a lot of ways you can say that both apply but to be honest it really just comes down to being a compilation of really good drum & bass. I spent a huge amount of time getting this together and feel it’s a true representation of Commercial Suicide and it’s kind of d&b which is a heady but physical sound - lots of energy and no shitty filler. Everyone has their own idea of what defines a genre. For me and hopefully many others, this is it.

You’re taking over Room 3 at RAM on the 10th Feb, what can we expect from that?
It’s going to be pure debauched heaven. By midnight the room will be filled with bubbles and everyone will be nude and swimming in champagne and midgets. Every beat will register as a pulse from the gods and the sweet nectar of love will pour forth from the bar. There will be some cracking d&b too.

There’s a veritable who's who in room 3, ranging from me... a legend, of course; Skeptical, fresh from his smash hit ‘Marka’ collab with Dub Phizix, Amit bringing his live sound and experience, men of the moment Ulterior Motive and Nymfo debuting a whole bunch of new cuts from his forthcoming album. It’s going to be a night full of very upfront and sharp edged d&b, ranging from deep and minimal to hard and raging. Something for everyone and all in the spirit of a great dance.

What else is coming up for Commercial Suicide in 2012?
At the end of Feb there will be the Ulterior Motive remix of the classic Klute ‘We R The One’s b/w my rework of Nymfo’s ‘Resolve’. And Gridlok's brilliant ‘Tuskan Raider’.Following from that will be singles from Klute & Anile and Prolix. Both Nymfo & Mindscape are nearing completion on their debut LP's for Commercial Suicide and will be out before summer.
Busy times! Come see us!

Catch Klute in the Commercial Suicide room at RAM on 10th February.