Jim White (musician)
| Jim White | |
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 Jim White at Nottingham's Bodega Social Club, October 12, 2007 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Davis Pratt[1] |
| Born | March 10, 1957 [2] |
| Genres | Americana, alternative country |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Labels | Loose Music (Europe) Yep Roc (North America) |
| Website | http://www.jimwhite.net/ |
Michael Davis Pratt (born March 10, 1957) known professionally as Jim White, is a Southern American singer-songwriter and guitarist. White's music can be loosely described as alternative country, but veers off in different, sometimes experimental directions with occasional nods[citation needed] to Tom Waits and the literary narratives of Flannery O'Connor, Cormac McCarthy, and Harry Crews.
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Early life [edit]
White was born in Pensacola, Florida to a Pentecostal family, and was influenced in his childhood by gospel music.[3] According to various sources, he has been a comedian, a fashion model, a boxer, a preacher, a professional surfer, and a New York cab driver.[3][4] Before embarking on a music career, White attended film school at New York University. Soon after finishing his lengthy thesis at the university, White entered a self-described "deep hole of sickness and depression and poverty."[5] However, during a party organized by film school friends, White began to perform, and began writing material for an album soon afterward.[5]
Musical career and performances [edit]
White's live shows, particularly when touring solo, can be characterized as off-beat, blending his playlist with open discussion with the audience, anecdotal storytelling derived from his own life experiences, all of which is typically humorous and insightful. He has stated during shows that ultimately he wishes to return to the academic field, particularly as a professor, rather than continue as a professional, touring musician. Much of this is due to his family life, which he has stated takes priority in his life and is the reason he does not like touring very much. His sister, Katherine Pratt, teaches at Loyola Law School.
White's albums often feature collaborations. On Wrong-Eyed Jesus, folk singer Victoria Williams sings on the track "Angel-Land"; British electronica trio Morcheeba produced and played on three tracks on No Such Place. Aimee Mann, Barenaked Ladies, and jazz guitarist Bill Frisell appear on Drill a Hole in That Substrate and Tell Me What You See, which was produced by Joe Henry, Tucker Martine, and Jim White himself. In an interview with David Byrne, White describes the making of the album.[6] In 2006, Jim White collaborated with Johnny Dowd and Willie B and formed a group called Hellwood; in 2006, the band toured throughout Europe to promote the album Chainsaw of Life. More recently, Jim White served as producer and songwriter on a collaboration alongside Tucker Martine and blues singer Linda Delgado, on a project entitled Mama Lucky. Mama Lucky's first release 'Permanent Stranger' was released February 2009.[7] In 2011, White produced a song, entitled "Simon Says,"[8] on Thugs and China Dolls, the sophomore record from Savannah-based singer-songwriter Dare Dukes.
Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus is a 2004 BBC documentary, directed by Andrew Douglas, in which Jim White describes his idea of the rural South. The film features performances by like-minded musicians such as The Handsome Family, David Eugene Edwards of 16 Horsepower and Johnny Dowd.
Discography [edit]
Albums [edit]
- 1997: Wrong-Eyed Jesus (The Mysterious Tale of How I Shouted)
- 2001: No Such Place
- 2004: Drill a Hole in That Substrate and Tell Me What You See
- 2005: Jim White Presents Music from Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus
- 2007: Transnormal Skiperoo
- 2012: Where It Hits You
EPs [edit]
- 1997: Gimme 5
- 2008: A Funny Little Cross to Bear
Collaborations [edit]
- 2006: Hellwood (Jim White, Johnny Dowd, Willie B) Chainsaw of Life
- 2009: Mama Lucky (Jim White, Tucker Martine, Linda Delgado) Permanent Stranger
- 2004: Tanakh (Jesse Poe) "Villa Claustrophobia"
- 2006: Tanakh "Ardent Fevers"
- 2010: Sounds of the Americans (Jim White, Dan Nettles)
- 2011: Dare Dukes, Thugs and China Dolls (produced the song "Simon Says")
- 2011: Producer, Belgian Alt Country band (Stanton)
Film [edit]
Visual Art Exhibits [edit]
"Deep Fried Ephemera", The Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin, Ireland 4 July – 18 August 2009
"Winter at SECCA" Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, Winston-Salem, NC
Also participated in inaugural "Crossroads" series, performing with The South Memphis String Band, Feb. 19, 2011
Books [edit]
"Superwhite! / Wild-Eyed Tree," The Douglas Hyde Gallery, 2009. In conjunction with art exhibit. "Includes autobiographical text, Superwhite (Another True Story), and previously unreleased lyrics by Jim White. Also included are images of the exhibition and photographs by Jim White."[9]
Theater [edit]
Musical Score to "The Americans", a Sam Shepard play (with Dan Nettles), Juilliard School of Music NYC, 11 February 2010
References [edit]
- ^ "Songwriter/Composer: PRATT MICHAEL DAVIS". BMI Repertoire. Broadcast Music Incorporated. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ White, Jim. "White on White". v2music.com. V2 Records. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
- ^ a b Ankeny, Jason. "Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
- ^ White, Jim; BBC Four (2004-06-22). "Jim White Interview". BBC Four Documentaries. BBC. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
- ^ a b White, Jim; Henderson, Steve. "Jim White – The Triste Interview". Triste Magazine (4). Retrieved 2008-06-01.
- ^ White, Jim; Byrne, David (2000-12-21). "David Byrne & Jim White Talk and Talk and Talk". luakabop.com. Luaka Bop. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
- ^ "Mama Lucky".
- ^ Dukes, Dare (2011-01-29). "Jim White, Aficionado of the Found". daredukes.com. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
- ^ "Superwhite!". Retrieved 2011-02-18.
External links [edit]
- Official Website
- Official MySpace Page
- Official Facebook Page
- Jim White on the Loose Music Website
- Jim White on the Yep Roc Website
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