#recall hearing it play while i was wandering around the storm coast one time and had to pause and go

[strixhaven]

nonsense bitching is just par for the course with dragon age but i do not understand the people who miss trevor morris. outside of the dlc tracks and bard songs, inquisition’s soundtrack can only be described as “painfully mid.” it’s sparse, lacking in identity, and i could not tell you a single track name off the top of my head or a time in which the base game ost was in any way memorable to me. it’s literally just Fine and There.

[themusicenthusiast]

Saturday, March 25th, 2017 - Kiefer Sutherland Makes His Texas Debut, Delivers Spectacle of a Performance at Toyota Texas Music Revolution

All photos by Jordan Buford Photography   A lot of great talent was performing at the twenty-first annual Toyota Texas Music Revolution, the festival having secured some solid talent in both the local/regional field as well as some acclaimed national touring artists. One of those in the latter grouping wound up being Kiefer Sutherland, the accomplished actor having made his foray into country music last year with the release of his debut album, Down in a Hole (out via Ironworks Music). There was little doubt that he was the act everyone was most excited to see, patrons that turned out at Plano, Texas’ Oak Point Park being giddy simply over the fact that he was somewhere in the vicinity, and they eagerly awaited his 6:20 set time. There was ample reason to be excited, too, going far beyond a famous actor visiting Plano. While Sutherland did do some heavy touring in 2016, Texas was one state that missed out on the action, this show being not just he and his bands’ first show in D-FW, but their first gig in the Lone Star State. Everyone’s elation began to overflow as they watched the band storm the stage, two guitarists, a bassist, and the drummer taking their spots and getting right to work; everyone’s eyes darting back and forth between each side of the stage, wondering which entrance Sutherland was going to use. And then he appeared, acoustic guitar in hand and a big smile plastered on his face as he strode over to center stage. Then they got to work, opening with the lead cut from his record, "Can’t Stay Away”.

They almost immediately surpassed expectations, both guitarists showing finesse as they attacked their guitars, their moves unrelenting but also graceful; while Sutherland dazzled the crowd when, after wandering over to and atop the drum riser, he took a flying leap off it, ax held high in the air. They set the tone with that song, earning some roaring applause as they proved they were there deliver an authentic feeling country show with plenty of rock swagger spliced in. And since their 62-minute long set had just gotten underway, they were just getting warmed up. "I’ll Do  Anything” demonstrated the more tender side Sutherland and his band mates were capable of, the mesmerizing chord progression making it absolutely spellbinding and one of the most polished songs of their performance.

Upon finishing it the singer gave KHYI a much-deserved shout-out, not just for putting this festival together and asking him to be a part of it, but also for being some of the first to play his music. Sutherland was quick to acknowledge this was a new venture and every bit of support like that in spreading the word was something he greatly appreciated. The sentimental mood from that previous song deepened as he shared some insight on the next song, noting it was one he didn’t introduce to begin with, but after having a fan tell him how much it meant to them, he decided to share its backstory. It was about someone close to him that left this world much sooner than they should have, "Truth in Your Eyes" being a way to say “hello” from time to time, according to Sutherland. The poignant track has all the hallmarks of a country song, dealing with being haunted (for better or worse) by the memory of a loved one, which ensured it was a definite outpouring of feelings. That personal connection Sutherland had to it was what made it so enjoyable, as, like any great storyteller can, he bore a piece of his soul; while the spectators seemed to interpret it in their own way, making it a fan favorite of the evening.

As the show progressed, the onlookers began to get a clear look at Sutherland, who came off as being just like them, seeming completely humbled and quite approachable as he bantered with everyone. For example, he made a crack about how he was “shocked” about how many drinking songs he and Jude Cole wrote when they were working on the record, feigning absolute surprise over it. One almost felt as if they were part of a handful of people getting a one-on-one chat with him, that’s how intimate he made the conversations feel. Rather surprisingly, they busted out Down in a Hole’s first single, “Not Enough Whiskey", fairly early on, the downtrodden heart-breaker painting an even more devastating picture live than what simply listening to the song creates.

It was also the first of a couple of songs about drinking as a form of coping, the subject being revisited after "My Best Friend”, which then lead them to “Going Home”. Sutherland even made the subject of that one into a bit of a joke as he asked if he was the only person there who had ever wondered why at one in the morning he was still at the bar. He confessed he had finally had that thought a few years ago; the moody, blues-inspired rock licks soon setting up one of their most engrossing numbers. While they mainly focused on Down in a Hole, Sutherland and company also made room for a few covers, the first of which was a spot on rendition of Tom Petty’s "Honey Bee". Typically, the best way to go about a cover is to completely restructure a song and make it your own, but in the case of that classic, keeping it true to form worked best.

It seemed right up the band’s alley, even if it was lacking the the country tone of Sutherland’s originals, while the execution of it was incendiary. The band got to let loose during it, the drummer being absolutely stupendous this evening and extremely animated; while Sutherland frequently kicked the air before tearing it up on his guitar during that one. Everyone standing in that field was certainly feeling alive by that point, prompting one fan to shout, “We don’t want you to leave!” “There’s a good chance I might not!” Sutherland responded, seeming a bit taken aback by reception he and his band were receiving, everyone coming off as rabid fans hungry for every last morsel.

As they took things back down a few notches "Calling Out Your Name" preceded what Sutherland said was about the only song on the record that wasn’t based on something from his personal life. He cited some country music legends that influenced him, specifically Johnny Cash and the man’s knack at writing songs about prison. That allowed for a brief cautionary tale as Sutherland addressed any younger kids that may have been out there, mentioning his stints in jail. “...The first thing they check at the door is your dignity, and you never get that back,” he said, getting quite candid. "Shirley Jean" was a nice homage to songs of that ilk, being told from the perspective of a man who will soon be executed and is penning a parting letter to his girlfriend/wife. Unexpectedly, it became a bit of a sing-along thanks to the die-hard fans right up front that knew every word by heart, making it feel like one of the most anticipated songs.

Further paying tribute to the legends, they pulled out a rendition of Merle Haggard’s "The Bottle Let Me Down”, Sutherland quipping afterwards, “When I grow up, I hope to write one like they did.” Perhaps one day he will write something that will be destined to be a timeless classic, but in his first effort he has released some riveting songs, "All She Wrote" being another one of those. Their time on stage had flown by, and sadly, it was already near the end, "Down in a Hole" being another invigorating tune, after which Sutherland shared one last anecdote.

He recalled when his parents split up, when he was about three, saying his mother made one of the most “courageous” decisions of her life by leaving both kids with their father for a few months while she went to find a new place they could live. Sutherland spoke of his father driving them to nursery school and even at that young age knowing how cool it was to be cruising around in the car his dad had. And as they did that, they were treated to the music of Bob Dylan, leaving a considerable impression on the young Sutherland. To finish things off they did their version of “Knockin' on Heaven's Door”, their take being a hybrid of rock and Americana that brought the performance to a stellar finish. The jam session was an all out barrage, Sutherland dropping to the floor as he wailed on his ax. Hands down the best set of the day belonged to Kiefer Sutherland, the actor turned musician proving he’s the real deal. It was pure Americana/country music, the likes of which you don’t hear too often anymore, at least not from mainstream artists.

Sutherland has stayed true to the genres’ roots, that authentic quality being refreshing, while the modern touches guarantee it’s quite appealing to almost any listener. Topped off by his at times gruff, scratchy voice, he comes across as a sage storyteller, a crucial component that any of the greats in country music possessed. A topnotch performer to boot, I believe he surprised everyone with the ferocity and energy he put into the show, often epitomizing the rock star persona while never coming off as anything other than an average guy that was just like everyone else that was at Oak Point Park on this day. The band was certainly not to be overlooked, either. Sutherland has surrounded himself with an exceptional crop of musicians who are able to bring out the best of these songs. They made them more vibrant and electrifying than even the recordings suggest, while making the performance more of a spectacle. It safe to say everyone is already eagerly awaiting more from Kiefer Sutherland, who hopefully has a few more albums in him. And while it took him a little longer than some may have liked, he did finally get to Texas, making the experience an unforgettable one for those that witnessed it. It’s going to be a busy spring and summer for the band, who will be performing at Stagecoach Festival in Indio, CA on April 30th, kicking off a little U.S. tour. Hitting some cities on the West Coast (Hollywood, CA at the Roxy Theatre on May 3rd and Seattle, WA at Tractor Tavern on May 7th), they’ll wind their way down to the South and then to the East Coast. That will include performances at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, TX on May 14th, Exit / In in Nashville, TN on May 19th, Bowery Ballroom in New York, NY on May 25th, and then conclude at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ on May 27th. Throughout June they’ll be touring Europe and the U.K. A complete list of their upcoming shows can be found HERE; and check out Down in a Hole on iTUNES or GOOGLE PLAY.