Fans
know actor Kiefer Sutherland from starring roles in Fox’s “24” and films dating
back to “Stand By Me” and “The Lost Boys,” but they don’t know him as a
singer-songwriter. A lifelong music fan who started the independent Ironworks
label with best friend/musician and producer Jude Cole in 2002, Sutherland will
release his debut album, “Down in a Hole” in June. The tour leading up to the
folk-country release stops at Visulite Theatre tonight. Sutherland spoke to the
Observer earlier today about the transition to music.
Q:
So what role did music play in your life growing up?
A:
Music was a huge thing. It started when I was very young. I had a brother who 7
years older than me that I idolized. He made a point of playing stuff for me
whether it was Jackson 5 or Elton John, songs with lyrics that were quite
transcendent to any age. I made a joke I was the only 3rd grader
listening to Aerosmith.
I’ve
watched my daughters. My youngest is 28 now. They listen to music in a very
different way. I remember putting headphones on and taking a few hours with an
album. They don’t do that. (For me) it wasn’t an addendum to another activity whether
it was being on the set and taking time to play or listening to something that
would put me in a good mood. As an art form I gravitate more toward listening
to music than going to movies. And I love movies.
Q:
Did you absorb a lot through the artists on the label?
A:
Certainly as a writer. I watched different artists like Rocco Deluca and
Suzanne (Santo) from HoneyHoney. Anything I’d written before that time had been
a fluke. I’d play a few chords, I’d find a melody I liked. It was accidental. When
I watched these incredible artists it was very specific. I thought, I’ll try
that.
Q:
It seemed to work.
A:
Over the last 8 to ten years I’d written a few pieces and taken them to Jude
Cole only in the effort that we’d send songs to BMI or Sony Music and see if
their artists would be interested in covering them. He suggested we keep them
for myself. I laughed. I was certainly aware of the stigma of an actor doing
music and I didn’t want that. He took me out and we had a few drinks and I started
to like the idea.
Q:
For someone who has played characters, what’s it like putting yourself out
there through what’s largely autobiographical lyrics?
A:
It’s unlike any experience I’ve ever had. I’ve done a lot of live theater and
films and television, but I’ve always been able to hide behind that character.
The only common denominator I can find between the two - and its substantial -
is I like to tell stories. (Because) I hadn’t thought about it - which I guess
is pretty stupid - nothing prepared me for being on stage for the first time
and explaining why I wrote a song and this is what happened to me when I was
25. I can’t say it wasn’t a little disarming for me to be that open or honest
in front of a group of people. I was lucky that evening. It happened to be a
positive experience and we’ve gone forward like that. It probably would have
been different if they threw things.
Q:
I would think hearing those stories helps audiences relate to the songs.
A:
I’ve got a bit of a time concern because I’m doing a show for ABC, “Designated
Survivor.” The album won’t come out until June. It’s a big ask to have an
audience come to hear songs they haven’t heard before. Explaining where the
songs come from and why has helped that a bit.
Q:
Did you talk about this project with any actors that moonlight as musicians?
A: I
haven’t. It’s not because I’m not interested in what their experience was. It
was more of a time factor. There’s this idea that all actors know each other.
Outside Kevin Bacon I wouldn’t have known who to call. It was one of those
things we’re playing small bars and it was just an experience that I wanted to
have on my own.
Q:
What can you share about “Designated Survivor?”
A:
That’ll come out in the fall on ABC. There’s a part in the Constitution that
demands when there is a State of the Union or special event at Congress that
requires the government’s attendance, that a member of each party of each
cabinet is sequestered in case of a natural disaster or attack. In the case of
our show there’s a terrorist attack and the character I play becomes president
overnight. It’s about his family, political instability…this show is certainly
not “24.” I’m playing the president – yes I’ve gotten that old (he’s 49). I was
a huge fan of “The West Wing” and there are aspects of that, and with the
terrorist attack, it will have aspects of “24.”
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Tonight
WHERE: Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave.
TICKETS: $25
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