Kiefer Sutherland has spoken candidly about the "stigma" that actors face when they venture into the music industry. The 59-year-old actor and musician is set to release his fourth studio album, titled Grey, on Friday, and will kick off a UK tour of intimate venues on Thursday.
In an interview with BBC Breakfast, Sutherland said: "I've been touring for about 15 years, but there were some original rules, like I was very self-conscious, because I certainly know the stigma of an actor doing music."
He explained that his initial approach was cautious: "My first rule was that I would play anywhere 50 miles outside of Los Angeles, and it started like that. The people that I've had the great fortune of playing with over the years have been really good friends, and the time that we have together is really special."
Sutherland noted that his songwriting has developed with help over the years. "I'm at a place now where I get to do something that I really love, but I actually feel that the songs are in a place that they're worth people taking the time to listen to," he said.
The actor also revealed that he has been playing guitar since his early days playing Jack Bauer in the hit series 24 during the 2000s. He admitted that he was so focused on making the show that he felt unable to keep up with technological advances.
"I'm one of the few people you'll probably ever meet that doesn't have a computer," Sutherland said. "I work with people that have computers, and so I have access to it in a way, but I don't go home and answer 300 emails, and I don't really want to partake in that."
He reflected on how computers became integral to society during the time he was making 24. "It was so ironic that we were making up stuff with different computer companies that we were using as gadgets on the show, but I was so focused on making the show that I did feel like if you weren't kind of in the moment as it was happening, you were kind of feeling left behind."
Sutherland concluded: "Half of the reason I don't have a computer is because I don't want to answer 300 emails at night, but the other half is because I'm a little shy of it, I'm a little nervous by it, and so I think I know a lot of people that feel like that."
