10 Questions with ... Kiefer Sutherland

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I’ve been a professional actor for over thirty years, starring in movies such as, ‘Stand By Me’, ‘The Lost Boys’, ‘Young Guns’, Flatliners’, ‘A Few Good Men’, ‘A Time to Kill’, ‘Dark City’, ‘Melancholia’ and most recently, a western called ‘Forsaken’, as well as the TV series ‘24’, ‘Designated Survivor’ and the ‘The Fugitive’. Soon you will see me in the film ‘Violence of Action’ with Chris Pine and Ben Foster and ‘The First Lady,’ on Showtime playing Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Unknown to many, during my career I’ve taken on other vocations with the same kind of dedication and commitment. The first one, beginning around 1992, was that of a cattle rancher and competitive cowboy (roper) in the USTRC team roping circuit. I ran a successful ranch with my partner John English for almost a decade and during that time I won numerous roping events around the country including Phoenix, Indio and the Los Angeles Open.

In 2002 I began a small record label with my friend Jude Cole, called Ironworks. The goal of this label was to record local musicians and distribute their music at a time when the music industry was going through a monumental shift. Some of their artists included: Rocco DeLuca and the Burden, Honeyhoney and Billy Boy On Poison. In 2009 I left the label to recharge and figure out what I was going to do next.

Over the last five years I’ve focused on developing my music career. My debut album: ‘Down In A Hole’ was released in 2016. My second album, ‘Reckless & Me,’ came out in 2019 and I’ve toured extensively in support of both records in the US, Canada, and Europe.

Writing and recording my third album ‘Bloor Street’ was a unique experience given the pandemic and subsequent restrictions that followed. I found myself afforded time like I had never experienced before, which allowed me to not only reflect upon my life and what I see for the future but afforded me the time to write about it. Music, whether touring or recording has always been a personal extension of storytelling for me. I couldn’t be more excited to share these new songs and play them for audiences around the world.

1. When did you first start making music?

I’ve been playing music my whole life, but I started working on the first album with Jude Cole in 2015.

2. Your new album, ‘Bloor Street’ is out now, who did you love working with on this record and why?

This is the first album that I’ve been able to make with the band that I play live with. We are very familiar with each other as musicians, which creates a trust and understanding that made recording ‘Bloor Street’ a dream.

3. What's something new on this album that fans maybe haven't heard from you before?

I believe there is a hopefulness and positivity in the songwriting that is simply at a higher level as a reaction to the pandemic and the two years that followed.

4. 'Two Stepping In Time' is currently buzzing at AAA, what was your inspiration?

‘Two Stepping In Time’ is a straight up love song to my girl.

5. What has been your favorite venue to perform in the US, so far?

There are so many great venues that we have had the opportunity to play but as a resident of Los Angeles, CA, being able to play the iconic Troubadour was incredibly special to me.

6. What is your dream venue to play?

A dream venue for me to play would be either Red Rocks or the Hollywood Bowl. Both are iconic. To be able to play music that you love looking out on two beautiful natural settings, I couldn’t imagine anything better.

7. What are you most excited about this year, aside from the release of 'Bloor Street’?

To be honest the thing I would be most excited about is the pandemic being in our rear-view mirror.

8. What has been your biggest (music) career highlight?

It has not been one specific date or recording but the accumulation of memories traveling with my band and playing music over the last 9 years.

9. Who is your favorite band of all time?

There are too many to name, but the first band that made a lifelong impression on me would be The Beatles.

10. What is a motto that you've stuck to throughout your illustrious career that's kept you going?

Cheers!