Kiefer Sutherland is a revered actor, but his greatest role yet is as Kiefer Sutherland, the songwriter.
Now two albums deep into his career in music with the release of his latest LP, Reckless & Me, Sutherland tells Q104.3 New York's Out of the Box with Jonathan Clarke that his lifelong affair with the guitar didn't start materializing into original songs until he was in his 30s — those songs didn't start coming out until his 40s. But still, the timing couldn't have been better.
"Well, the guitar was always my best friend," Sutherland says. "From the time I was 10 years old to now, it's the thing that's gone with me everywhere. ...The truth is I've always loved music as a fan. I've always loved playing."
Sutherland says he didn't get deep into writing songs for himself until after starting his record label, Ironworks, with Jude Cole. In close proximity to other great creative minds, Sutherland says he couldn't escape inspiration.
"When we [started] the label, there were so many great musicians coming in and out, and they were all writing and they all had different styles and I would kind of watch and finally found a style for myself to start writing," he adds.
On a TV or film set, Sutherland always has a guitar nearby. He says he did a lot of writing while he was on the hit show 24. Eventually he broke through and arrived at a number of songs he thought were really good.
"I guess I finally got to a point in my life where I felt like I had something to say," he continues. "It took me a lot longer than most. ...But the truth is I did really like the songs."
The initial plan was to find other artists to do the songs, but Sutherland says he backed off that plan when he started recording and touring.
"I realize I was in trouble because I fell in love with [being in a band] so much. I play with incredible musicians, my best friends and the touring ended up being — if I had a choice between taking a vacation or going on tour, I would go on tour."
Watch the full interview in the video player at the top of this page or here.
Get all Kiefer Sutherland's tour dates here.
1 of 2 2 of 2
Here's the official music video for "Something You Love":