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Monthly Archives: June 2016

Taylor Swift and Kanye have had drama several times in the past, so weve been waiting patiently for when Kanye would do something to piss her off again. The wait is over!! Over the weekend, Kanye released the music video for his song Famous, which you might remember as the one where he says that he might still have sex with Taylor Swift because he made that bitch famous. Taylor used her Grammy speech as an opportunity to lash out at Kanye, but he clearly doesnt give a fuck about making Taylor Swift happy.

In the video, theres an image of Kanye lying naked in bed surrounded by a whole horde of famous people, Taylor Swift included. Also naked in bed are George W. Bush, Anna Wintour, Donald Trump, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Kimmy K (obvi), Ray J (LOL), Amber Rose, Caitlyn Jenner, and Bill Cosby.

Apparently, “a source close to Swift” told ,

This all comes after some drama last week regarding said Taylor Swift lyric in said song.Kanye claimed he called Taylor to give her a heads up about the lyric before went live and they all had a good laugh about it; Taylor claims that never happened and she was totally blindsided; Kim gave an interview in and said they have video evidence of Taylor approving the lyric and accused her of playing the victim.

You could say that the moral of the story is don’t come for Kanye West unless you want a naked wax figure of you streaming all over Tidal and the internetexcept that basically any famous person whos relevant or controversial made the cut, so Taylor shouldnt really feel that special.

Read more: http://www.betches.com/taylor-swift-reportedly-not-happy-famous-video

Im not going to lie to you guys, usually I steer clear of anything Kardashian/Jenner/West affiliated because their names take up too much space in my already clogged feeds, but I heard about this video and I needed to see it for myself. Luckily for you, it was just as preposterous as I thought it would be.

First of all, its almost fucking 11 minutes long. 11 minutes of nothing but Kanyes song Famous and creepy panning video of wax figures of celebrities. I hope Kanyes ready to get sued, because theres no way Anna Wintour was cool with her likeness lying naked and being cupped next to not only former president George W. Bush but also a naked and flabby Donald Trump.

The video touches on everything from Kanyes very serious political statements regarding Bushs feelings on black people, all the way to his famous VMA speech announcing how unworthy Taylor Swift was of her Best Female Video award back in 2009, and of course, there she was, lying right on Kanyes left side. Apparently shes pretty pissed he used her in the video, but, like, what isnt Taylor Swift pissed at?

At the very end he very classily added a Special Thanks section where everyone involved in the apparent celebrity orgyGeorge W. Bush, Anna Wintour, Donald Trump, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian West, Ray J, Amber Rose, Caitlyn Jenner, and Bill Cosbywas thanked for being famous. However, Kanye, only two of the aforementioned names are just famous. Everyone else is at least somewhat talented, albeit completely overrated and argumentative, but wholeheartedly legitimately have a claim to fame. It seems to be only the two women hes had sex with who are famous for being famous. Not that Im that big of a fan of Donald Trump or Ray J, but hey, at least Ray J has his failing music career to hang onto for his ego and not just his sex tape with Kim, and Donald Trump might be our next president so clearly by the end of this video I was ready for the world to end.

All in all, the worst part was probably the fixation with Rihannas breasts. Definitely too much focus on someone whos supposed to be Kanyes friend and is actually featured on the song. Really all Kanye accomplished with this was a little bit of incest (Kanye, Kim, and Caitlyn in the same bed is going to give me nightmares for years) was officially confirming to the world that he really, really loves pissing people off and that he likes attention, but, like, that wasnt news.

Read more: http://www.betches.com/kanye-west-famous-in-depth-look

The Loons are joining MLS as an expansion team, and leading them into the promised land is a coach whose approach is best described as open-minded

In his early years, in the 1980s, he was there on the picket lines supporting striking miners. There to rage against a machine fixed against the British working class and their way of life a world from which he came. There, too, to witness the brutal policing that came with it. And there to watch on in horror as the soccer world got a dose.

Because the end of the decade saw another policing disaster: the deaths of 96 Liverpool supporters at Hillsborough, innocent victims who were later blamed. Carl Craig, son of Newcastle, England, recognized it as another example of the worst excesses of the times, when soccer fans were treated like shit, virtual second-class citizens. The policies of Margaret Thatcher claimed many victims. And Craig was one of its agitators: protester, advocate, and punk musician.

Today, Craig is the high functioning head coach of presumptive 2017 MLS addition Minnesota United. The now 50-year-old Craig is the man tasked with leading the Loons into the promised land from the less celebrated confines of the North American Soccer League. For a football man, hes unorthodox and refreshing.

To his players and the Minnesota United staff, Craig is indeed no run-of-the-mill soccer coach. He is the friendly, impressionable funnyman now leading their team down a merry road. That colorful biography threads through his approach to management. Lapsed punk musician, former bike messenger, one-time aspiring vegan restaurant owner. Somehow those experiences all seem to find life around the Minnesota camp. In his coaching, he broaches into New Age territory. Meditation. Even hypnosis. But behind the jocular atmosphere, behind his unusual methods, lies a well-respected, serious football man.

One of a kind, is how Minnesotas veteran midfield man Aaron Pitchkolan describes his boss. His enthusiasm for the game, Pitchkolan goes on, is unique. He knows his soccer. Theres no doubt about it. The way he approaches the game hes obviously super knowledgeable as far as tactics go. And then on top of that I think hes great when it comes to dealing with the players.

Yet many of the players, the 33-year-old says, at least until very recently, didnt know much about the punk past of the man with the strange accent and peculiar banter.

For Craig, it all started playing boys soccer in the north-east of England. An aspiring defensive midfielder, occasional right-back, his on-field career suffered in his mid-teens. His parents had earlier divorced, and his mother, remarried, had moved to the Middle East. And I didnt want to go, Craig tells the Guardian. I was essentially looking after myself. You know, a 14-, 15-, 16-year-old lad, a bit daft, not too stupid but its tough when youre trying to make the world work for yourself at that age. Having to get to places, et cetera, et cetera. Football just kind of fell by the wayside to be honest.

By then he was listening to punk music, and forming an affinity with left-leaning political causes. He toured Britain with punk bands, joining Newcastle-based group Reality Control. Chumbawamba, who had a hit in the late 90s with Tubthumping, were among his friends. Back then he was a vegan, inspired to run a whole foods co-op out of the spare room in his flat. Usually broke, surviving on unemployment checks in a dismal Britain of the time, he nevertheless remained a beacon of hope.

We got into the idea of opening a vegan restaurant, so I would hitch-hike around Britain visiting vegetarian places and vegan places, which back then there werent a lot of, Craig explains. But the lack of finances made the dream elusive. We didnt have a pot to piss in, really, he laughs, so no one was going to touch us. But it was a great experience. The music kind of tied in with it it was an educational time of my life, very enriching.

In that vein, along the way Craig had acquired his full English FA badge he now holds a number of other top coaching qualifications including a Uefa A license which of course led to the United States. Prior he had worked for the FA in the English north-east, as well as for the Newcastle United academy system along with Sheffield Wednesday. At the same time, he continued playing for fun in local leagues. Since first arriving in the US in 1994, Craig has coached across the youth ranks as well as at the Premier Development League and National Premier Soccer League levels. He has been with Minnesota since 2010.

Ibson
Ibson of Minnesota United FC and Lucky Mkosana of the New York Cosmos in action in Hempstead. Photograph: Mike Stobe/New York Cosmos/Getty Images

So far, Craigs methods seem to be working. Theyre in fourth place after a decent NASL spring season and the fall season starts this weekend.They are shaping a team primed to enter an MLS top-flight next year. Craig replaced former head coach Manny Lagos, now club sporting director, in the close season, as Minnesota accelerated preparations for the jump. But Craig insists he shouldnt be seen as a stop-gap appointment. He signed a two-year deal and fully expects to be in charge at the start of next season.

His approach can probably best be described as open-minded. The hypnosis, the meditation, the motivational techniques, they all serve one master: helping the individual. I think football is a little bit superficial in so much as saying its a goal. Youve got to think of bigger goals in terms of what you gain when you win a football match, what you gain when you win the championship. From a life perspective, what you gain when you win those things is I think where the truth lies.

He might sound like a partially reconstructed hippie, but some of his players seem receptive. Its thinking outside of the box, thinking in ways that soccer players perhaps dont think, says Pitchkolan. He says: If this works for you, Im opening up new doors then go for it. But if its not, if its something you dont want to do, he doesnt force you to do it.

Craig might have been living the US more than 20 years but the Newcastle brogue and banter lingers. Some might sometimes get lost in the cultural divide. Not just between Britain and the US, but also for those from elsewhere. Experienced Brazilian center-back Tiago Calvano isnt necessarily one while playing for Sydney FC in Australia, the former Sunderland and Leeds United player Michael Bridges schooled the big Brazilian in the local Geordie lingo. Im used to listening to [Craigs] accent, Calvano says, laughing off some of the idiosyncrasies of the Newcastle dialect. Newcastle is a bit different from everything as well but my ear is ready to adapt with each accent so for me its not a big deal.

Craig mischievously points to language problems closer to the American heartland. Weve got a lad, one of our media fellas, and he quotes me so he does interviews during the week post-game and stuff and he puts quotes out there, he says, and to be honest with you it just doesnt make sense, what he writes. Even if you read it back to him, its like it doesnt even make sense in any form of English.

So he obviously doesnt understand what Im saying even though he works for our club. He just throws words in there and guesses. Its unbelievable! I said to the main media guy, I says: Have you read what hes quoted me as saying? It does not make sense whatsoever.

He likes a laugh but hes mindful not to cross a line, not to let the jokes go too far. But Craig still sees himself as a bit of a punk at heart. Im very much into alternative stuff. I believe in the power of people, people doing good for each other, that kind of thing, he says. I dont dress like a punk rocker, I dont necessarily hang out in punk bars. But I feel very much affinity. Even at a supporters do last night, he adds, Im there with me suit on. But Im hanging out with the people with the bright colored hair and the punk shirts. Im very comfortable in that sort of environment.

The days when he coached at the PDL level reminded him of those days on the road with his band. The shit traveling, the shit hotels was just like being in there. I said to the lads: Its just like being in a shit band, he says. Nae money, starving, sleeping on floors and that sort of thing, you know. Not any more. The protest is almost over. MLS beckons.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/29/carl-craig-head-coach-minnesota-united-mls

The country singer/songwriter, now 35, talks about the transformative time during which she wrote her third solo album

Young in All the Wrong Ways is Sara Watkins third solo album, but in many ways, it feels like her first.

The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist for Nickel Creek has written a set of songs connected by a theme of reawakening, personally and professionally. There is restlessness throughout. On Move Me, the albums biggest pop moment, she puts a stranglehold on complacency as guitars crash around her. So much is repetition/We mimic old decisions/And walk the same patch jut because/We know where it will lead, she sings.

Speaking from her car in the early first days of her summer tour, Watkins says the album came to her in a rush in early 2014. Off the road for a few months, she woke up most mornings in her Echo Park home and walked outside with a guitar and started writing. Now age 35, she noticed changes taking place among her friends and even herself. It was a transformative time, she says. I had some things to say.

Watkins grew up in Santa Monica and started performing before she was 10. Nickel Creek, the neo-bluegrass group that included her brother Sean Watkins on guitar and Chris Thile on mandolin, released its first album in 2000. The group arrived amid a roots music revival under way in the US and immediately found an audience among country music traditionalists and alternative country revivalists even though they experimented with elements of classical, jazz and pop.

That success led to collaborations outside the group, on sessions by Hank Williams Jr, Richard Thompson, Mandy Moore and several others. In 2002, she and sibling Sean also launched The Watkins Family Hour at Largo in Hollywood. The monthly residency follows a variety show format and has included guest spots by people like Benmont Tench, Greg Leisz, Ethan Johns, Jon Brion and Tim OBrien. Then in 2007 many of the same musicians from that residency formed Works Progress Administration, a supergroup that released a self-titled debut album two years later.

Having partnerships in so many pockets in a way reflects her bluegrass beginnings. Its a pretty collaborative field. You grow up standing up in these circles and sharing tunes, she says. Bouncing between work that is intrinsically personal and then playing back-up fiddle for a friend is a perfect balance. My favorite musicians are the ones who can rule a roomful of strangers and then they can play three notes on the piano behind someone else and contribute just as much, she says. Besides, as a fan, my favorite way to see a show is standing next to someone on stage if I get to play. Thats a huge perk.

For Young in All the Wrong Ways (New West), Watkins enlisted some of those past collaborators, like Tench, Brion and Jim James of My Morning Jacket, to join her in the studio. They give sharp focus to songs that point fingers and make demands. The title song, a stomping kiss-off to a former lover, is also a reining declaration of independence: Ive gone the miles and god knows Ive got the fight, she sings. There is a true country shuffle, The Truth Wont Set Us Free, that is a resignation to love gone bad while Without a Word, a ruminating soul ballad, follows a solitary perspective of waiting for a lover to return.

The songs are direct, their hurts and yearning unvarnished. Watkins says she is purposely vague about the details with the hopes of making the underlying truths relatable to as many listeners as possible. The songs, to her, reflect the middle ground when life can go in different directions but its not apparent which way is right.

I resisted being pulled one side or another and instead tried to navigate the rougher terrain and move slower to know that it was my course and not someone elses, she says.

The ultimate transformation here is that Watkins fiddle, her signature instrument, is hardly present. She says that was decided early into the process. That was a no-brainer, she says. Fiddle is such a strong personality and I didnt want that to dominate the music. I wanted the lyrics to dictate more of that.

Shell pick up the album on her current tour, which takes her to the UK in November, as well as future collaborations with Nickel Creek. Until then, Watkins says that she is comfortable with identifying solely with the sound of these songs. It represents where I am now, she says. And its where I want to be for a little while.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/29/sara-watkins-interview-album-young-in-all-the-wrong-ways

Since Tay wasted no time moving on from the music producer with Tom Hiddleston, it appears as though the 32-year-old is trying to do the same.

When the Ex on the Beach alum went out to London’s Hard Rock Cafe with stylist Lauryn Goodman and celeb matchmaker Nadia Essex on Saturday, she just so happened to flash her phone screen, coincidentally displaying her Insta inbox!

Photos obtained by The Sun show that a message from Miz Swift’s ex was at the top of Megan’s list!

The portion seen in the snaps read:

“Any time. Are you in the UK this summer other than coming over for”

Hmmmmm. Very inneresting.

What’s also inneresting is how casually the MTV UK personality was just waving around her illuminated IG messages. Do we smell a publicity stunt perhaps?!

Well, rumor has it that Megan isn’t the only gorgeous gal Mr. Harris has been reaching out to online!

According to the UK tabloid, he also started following model Rhian Sudgen, Miss Universe contestant Aferdita Dreshaj, Miss United Kingdom Mhairi Fergusson, model Brandi Mare, and a singer from Kosovo.

He’s reportedly also interested in another Ex on the Beach alum, Loren Green.

A source says the blonde babe is just playing the field, saying:

“Calvin saw how quickly Taylor moved on, so he has no guilt about keeping his options open. Having some beautiful women brightening up his timeline and a little flirt is just what he needs right now.”

The hitmaker reportedly didn’t start following these ladies on social media until AFTER Hiddleswift went public! Plus, what does this mean for him and Rita Ora, since the former flames are following each other again?!

Thoughts, Perezcious readers?!

[Image via WENN.]

Read more: http://perezhilton.com/2016-06-27-calvin-harris-message-uk-reality-star-breakup-taylor-swift

Suge is suing the star for not having better security at 1Oak, the club which hosted the party, and for letting at least one armed person into the party. He also claims the 27-year-old has a history of having events that attract violence.

The music mogul cited complications from his injuries, including a blood clot, in his legal docs.

Additionally, his lawyers believe it was his fear after the shooting which led him to flee when he ran down two men after being attacked in his car.

There’s no word on how much Suge is suing Chris for.

We wonder if the young singer will speak out on the latest news!

[Image via WENN.]

Read more: http://perezhilton.com/2016-06-27-chris-brown-sued-by-suge-knight-club-shooting-2014

Read more: http://imgur.com/gallery/oPv0UAe

Communist partys propaganda department reportedly issues important instruction blocking singers entire repertoire from mainland

Lady Gaga has reportedly been added to a list of hostile foreign forces banned by Chinas Communist party after she met with the Dalai Lama to discuss yoga.

The American pop singer, who has sold more than 27m albums, met the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader on Sunday before a conference in Indianapolis.

A video of the 19-minute encounter in which the pair pondered issues such as meditation, mental health and how to detoxify humanity was posted on the singers Facebook account.

The meeting sparked an angry reaction from Beijing, which has attacked the spiritual leader as a wolf in monks robes.

The Dalai Lama, who fled into exile in March 1959, insists he is merely seeking greater autonomy from Chinese rule for Tibetans.

But Chinas rulers consider him a separatist who they claim is conspiring to split the Himalayan region from China in order to establish theocratic rule there.

Following Lady Gagas meeting, the Communist partys mysterious propaganda department issued an important instruction banning her entire repertoire from mainland China, Hong Kongs pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily reported on Monday.

Chinese websites and media organisations were ordered to stop uploading or distributing her songs in a sign of Beijings irritation, the newspaper said.

The propaganda department also issued orders for party-controlled news outlets such as state broadcaster CCTV and newspapers the Peoples Daily and the Global Times to condemn the meeting.

Asked by a foreign reporter whether the tte–tte would create a bad romance between Beijing and Lady Gaga, a spokesperson for Chinas foreign ministry initially hinted that he was not familiar with the pop stars Grammy-winning back catalogue. Who? Hong Lei said when asked for Beijings view on the singers meeting.

Benjamin Haas (@haasbenjamin) June 27, 2016

Me: will @ladygaga meeting with @DalaiLama lead to a bad romance with China?

China Foreign Ministry spokesman: who?

Hong went on to condemn the Dalai Lamas global campaigning.

The purpose of his visits and activities in other countries is just to promote his proposal for Tibetan independence, the spokesperson said, according to AP. We hope that people from the international community can be fully aware of his true colours and nature.

All mention of the Lady Gaga controversy appeared to have been purged from the official transcript of that press conference.

On Tuesday afternoon it was still possible to download Poker Face and Bad Romance on Chinas QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music players. But a report about the Dalai Lamas meeting with Lady Gaga appeared to have been deleted from the NetEase website.

China has previously banned artists and groups such as Maroon 5, Bjork and Oasis from performing in the country after they met with the Dalai Lama or spoke out in favour of him or Tibetan independence.

Experts suggested the American singer would have gone into her meeting with the spiritual leader with her eyes wide open as to the consequences.

Lady Gaga knew how Beijing would react, Bill Bishop, who runs the Sinocism newsletter, wrote on Twitter. Good for her to show some courage, unlike most celebrities who are scared of bullying Beijing now.

Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) June 26, 2016

Thank you for this special day. Science tells us kindness improves health, let’s take care of the body of our nation pic.twitter.com/jsvlTy5pTH

Lady Gaga, whose career has survived previous bans in China, has yet to respond to Chinas reported ban of her work.

During her meeting with the Dalai Lama she said: We have to cool the system down. Its about less heat, more cooling, more relaxation but also [being] thoughtful and strategic.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/28/china-lady-gaga-ban-list-hostile-foreign-forces-meeting-dalai-lama

We acknowledge that this is basically Trudeau fan fiction, says Chip Zdarsky, Canadian artist and writer of Marvels Civil War II: Choosing Sides #5

Sporting red boxing gloves and a sleeveless top emblazoned with a red maple leaf, a smiling Justin Trudeau, Canadas prime minister, appears relaxed as gears up for his latest role: comic book hero.

Trudeau will appear on the variant cover of Marvels Civil War II: Choosing Sides #5, slated for release at the end of August. The cover is an alternative to the main cover in circulation.

The prime ministers foray into Marvel Universe came after Canadian artist and writer Chip Zdarsky was approached by Marvel to write a story featuring Canadian superhero squad Alpha Flight. He immediately knew he wanted Trudeau to be part of the story.

He seems to be the popular culture association with Canada right now, right behind [Toronto rapper] Drake and I probably couldnt get Drake in the comic, Zdarsky told the Canadian Press. While it wouldnt endorse the comic, Trudeaus office said it was fine with the idea.

The storyline centers on Alpha Flight, who now work for Captain Marvels worldwide defence program. When faced with a moral quandary, the team decides to seek out Trudeau, their old boss, for advice.

I liked the idea of him actually engaging them in an ethical debate, said Zdarsky. I didnt want this to just be like a walk-on … rescued by superheroes and he thanks them and thats the end of the story.

The story required Zdarsky to put himself in Trudeaus shoes, envisioning how the politician would respond to certain situations. Hopefully, I did a good job. Maybe Ill get a call from him saying: How could you have me saying that to … Iron Man? Zdarsky said. Its a little tricky just because once you start to put words in the prime ministers mouth, we acknowledge that this is basically Trudeau fan fiction.

It was Toronto-based cartoonist Ramn Prez who decided to put Trudeau in the boxing ring for the cover. I didnt want to do a stuffy cover just like a suit and tie put his likeness on the cover and call it a day, he told Canadian Press. I wanted to kind of evoke a little bit of whats different about him than other people in power right now. You dont see [Barack] Obama strutting around in boxing gear, doing push-ups in commercials or whatnot.

Trudeau is the third politician to be added to the Marvel Universe. The first was his late father Pierre, spotlighted in Uncanny X-Men in 1979. In 2009, Obama made his comic book debut in Secret Invasion #8.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/28/canada-prime-minister-justin-trudeau-marvel-comic

A sometime rancher, lasso expert and record label owner, the star of 24 has taken on his most creatively risky project but its not so different from acting

Never mind that Down in a Hole, the debut album one of country musics newest artists is releasing later this summer, is the product of a traditionalists love of the genres hard-bitten, gravelly voiced storytellers. Or that the singer-songwriter behind it has penned a set of tunes about hard living and miles travelled that sound perfect for cheap honky-tonks and maybe even the purists in the audience at the Grand Ole Opry.

When the craftsman is Kiefer Sutherland, some things have to be taken on board. Like the critics who will see this as a vanity project: the idea that the 49-year-old actor can successfully refashion himself as a bona fide country troubadour. Or the possibility that some of the fans who come to his shows hes been on the road playing a string of intimate dates in the US and Canada in support of the forthcoming album – wont be able to help seeing Jack Bauer in a cowboy hat staring back at them from the stage.

Even so, this is the creative leap the TV and film star has decided to take, reintroducing himself to fans with a guitar slung around him and belting out throwback country-style tunes in an unpolished voice that gets the job done. That random audience members at times have proclaimed their fandom of Sutherlands fictional terrorism-fighting agent from the crowd, some even yelling out requests for him to deliver Bauers signature damn it catchphrase, well, thats just another indication this is a singular kind of country act.

Weve played close to 100 dates in the States so far, and Ive always made a kind of joke about it, Sutherland tells the Guardian. If you want to take our show and make a comparison, its like a Nascar race. Some people go hoping they get to see a crash. Our job is to give them a good race.

Im aware of the stigma attached to actor-musicians, he adds. I promise you, every time I hear someone talk about an actor doing this, my eyes roll in the back of my head, too. For me, though, this is something that is absolutely imperative to what I want to do with the rest of my life.

Sutherland clarifies that he is not suggesting that he will say goodbye to the TV shows and films where his grizzled tough guy with a low, menacing purr of a voice is so intrinsic to shows such as 24 and ABCs Designated Survivor. In the latter, a new political drama hitting screens this fall, Sutherland stars as a low-ranking cabinet member who becomes the president after a crippling attack.

Sutherland is also interviewed in AMCs new documentary series The American West, which chronicles the sweeping industrialization of the late 1800s as well as larger-than-life characters such as Wyatt Earp and Jesse James.

Sutherland
Sutherland started a record label 20 years ago. Photograph: Beth Elliott

The through-line that Sutherland says links all those projects, along with his new identity as a touring country singer and fledgling recording artist, is his love of storytelling. Which is why from his noodling around on a guitar that stretches back years and his longtime love of a particular brand of country songwriting think Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson has emerged a surprising new identity that represents perhaps his most creatively risky yet personally satisfying project yet.

Its also one that puts him in the company of actors such as Ed Helms, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner and others whove dabbled in music to various degrees and with varying degrees of success after making it in acting.

I got into country music in the early 90s, says Sutherland. At the time, he was something of a competitive cowboy on the United States Team Roping Championships circuit for a time, and he also ran a ranch for almost a decade.

I was roping on a competitive level, and I was travelling around in a pickup truck with really world-class cowboys, and I started listening to a lot of country music, because thats what they were playing on the radio, Sutherland says. Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, all of those guys with the first-person narratives who took on those characters. That was the same thing that appeals to me about acting. It was the first-person narrative thing that country does that you dont really find in rocknroll.

Sutherland remembers playing the guitar as a teenager. He increasingly bottled up the hobby, though, the more he met people such as his best friend and music partner Jude Cole, a songwriter and producer – whom he considered real instrumentalists.

But his interest in music remained. And in 2002, Sutherland and Cole launched a small record label called Ironworks to record and distribute music by local musicians. Sutherland eventually moved on, but something about being around young, hungry bands lingered, and by 2015, he was playing his own compositions to Cole.

Sutherlands thought had been to record the songs as demos for other artists to use. Cole, however, thought Sutherland ought to keep them for himself. They wrote some songs together, and eventually there were enough for an album.

A flurry of activity followed. They got an album in the can. Sutherland took to the road with a band, and earlier this year he was a presenter at the 51st Academy of Country Music awards show in Las Vegas. Eventually, the title track from Sutherlands album, Not Enough Whiskey, was released in April. The video opens with a shot of Sutherlands tattooed arm switching off a radio as a steel guitar sets the mood and Sutherland gets dressed, eventually taking a swig of the titular liquor.

Whether its good or bad, Sutherland says hes not bothered by the critical reception. Its gotten to the point, now that Ive done these songs and an album, its like, if somebody wants to be nasty, go ahead, Sutherland says. I dont care. Thats probably why I didnt put out any music 30 years ago. I wasnt prepared to say I dont care. I have to be honest, the audiences have been phenomenal. The experience has been amazing. But I get it. And its really important to me for anyone to understand Im not trying to sell a million records or sell out stadiums.

Its about playing to 200, 300 people a night and telling a story. The ability to do that has changed how I want to approach acting and everything else. It really does live in the same place for me, and its not something I have any intention of letting go.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/28/kiefer-sutherland-country-music-acting-interview