Wikipedia

Jim White (guitarist)

For other musicians of the same or similar name, seeJimmy White (singer)andJim White (drummer).

Michael Davis Pratt(born March 9, 1957), known professionally asJim White,is an American singer-songwriter, visual artist and author.

Jim White
White in 2007
White in 2007
Background information
Birth nameMichael Davis Pratt[1]
Born(1957-03-09)March 9, 1957(age 67)[2]
California
GenresAmericana,alternative country
Occupation(s)Guitarist, singer-songwriter, artist, author
Years active1990s–present
LabelsLoose Music(Europe);Yep Roc(North America)
Websitejimwhitemusic.net

Early life

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White was born in California but moved toPensacola, Floridaat the age of 5. He was deeply influenced in his childhood by the spectacle of Pentecostal religion andgospel music.[3]According to various sources, he has been a ditch digger, a suntan oil salesman, a landscaper, a dishwasher, a fry cook, a fashion model, a fashion photographer, a professional surfer and a New York City cab driver.[3][4]Before embarking on a music career, White attended film school atNew 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]It was during this period that White began writing songs again after a long hiatus, many of which would appear on his debut albumWrong Eyed Jesus,released byDavid Byrne's boutique labelLuaka Bop.[6]

Musical career and performances

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Jim White at Nottingham's Bodega Social Club, 2007

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, with a deep sense of his feeling for the broken beauty of humanity.

White's albums often feature unlikely collaborations. OnWrong-Eyed Jesus,folk singerVictoria Williamssings on the track "Angel-Land"; British electronica trioMorcheebaproduced and played on three tracks onNo Such PlacealongsideSadekeyboardist Andrew Hale, who produced three tracks on the same album.Aimee Mann,Barenaked Ladies,and jazz guitaristBill Frisellappear onDrill a Hole in That Substrate and Tell Me What You See,which was produced byJoe Henry,Tucker Martine,and Jim White himself. In an interview with David Byrne, White described the making of the album.[7]

White's 2012 albumWhere It Hits Youmarked his first effort after an amicable parting of ways with Byrne's Luaka Bop. The record features guest appearances by members the roots group Olabelle, Terri Binion and Shak Nasty.Where It Hits Youwas released on the Yep Roc label.[8]

In 2017 White's albumWaffles, Triangles & Jesuscame out via the PIAPTK label[9]in the US and Loose in the UK. White was joined by musical group Hog Eyed Man, Holly Golightly,[10]and Cicada Rhythm.

White's 2020 albumMisfit's Jubilee[11]marked a departure from his more solemn introspective previous work, featuring and upbeat collaboration with Belgian recording artists Geert Hellings and Nicolas Rombouts. White's longtime drummer Marlon Patton played drums onMisfit's Jubilee,as he did on White's previous four solo records.[12]

White's debut albumWrong Eyed Jesusis considered a minor classic in the Americana genre, and his fan base includes various entertainment luminaries such asDavid Byrne,Matt Groening,andVince Gilligan.[13]The song "Wordmule" appeared in theBreaking Badepisode "Blood Money",while" Static on the Radio "appeared in the end credits ofEl Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.

Side projects

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In 2003 White appeared as de facto tour guide in the documentary filmSearching for the Wrong Eyed Jesus,exploring oral and song traditions of the poor white US south.[14]White appeared alongside writer Harry Crews and musiciansJohnny Dowd,The Handsome FamilyandDavid Eugene Edwards.Before achieving cult status, the film was featured in festivals around the world, winning Best Documentary at the Seattle Film Festival.[15]

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 albumChainsaw of Life.White served as producer and songwriter on a collaboration alongsideTucker Martineand blues singerLinda Delgadoon a project titledMama Lucky.Mama Lucky's first releasePermanent Strangerwas released in a limited fashion in February 2009.[16]

In 2010 White created Sounds of the Americans, an experimental collaboration with guitarist Dan Nettles based on the soundtrack they composed for a Juilliard Music School theater production.[17]

Continuing his pattern of alternating between solo projects and collaborations, in 2014 White teamed up with the Packway Handle Band to release the bluegrass hybridTake It Like A Man,which peaked at #3 on the Billboard bluegrass chart.[18][19]

In 2023, White released Permanent Stranger under the band name "Mama Lucky," his side project with Portland-based producerTucker Martine.[20]He also co-produced Ane Diaz's "Despechada" album[21]and produced Ben De La Cour's critically acclaimed record Sweet Anhedonia (Jullian Records),[22]which appeared on several "Best of 2023" lists.[23]

Film

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Visual art exhibits

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  • "Deep Fried Ephemera", The Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin, Ireland July 4 – August 18, 2009
  • "Winter at SECCA" Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, Winston-Salem, NC
  • "Crossroads" series, performing with The South Memphis String Band, February 19, 2011
  • "Scrapbook of a Fringe Dweller" Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans LA, Oct.7 – December 15, 2013
  • Artist in residence 2015-2018, Aarhus, Denmark Festuge

Books

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"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."[26]

In 2013 White's story "The Bottom" was published in the literary journalRadio Silence,and in 2014, it was awarded the prestigious Pushcart Prize for Short Fiction.[27]

After publishing work in various periodicals over his 20-year musical career, White's debut novelIncidental Contactwas released in 2022.

"Blessings and Curses: Another True Story" - Illustrated pamphlet with story. 2001 Luaka Bop

Theater

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  • Musical Score to "The Americans", aSam Shepardplay (with Dan Nettles), Juilliard School of Music NYC, February 11, 2010

Personal life

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White is the father of recording artistWillow Avalon.[28]

Discography

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Jim White performing in Denmark 2014

Albums

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EPs

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  • 1997:Gimme 5
  • 2008:A Funny Little Cross to Bear

Collaborations

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  • 2006: Hellwood (Jim White,Johnny Dowd,Willie B)Chainsaw of Life
  • 2009: Mama Lucky (Jim White,Tucker Martine,Linda Delgado)Permanent StrangerLimited Release
  • 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)
  • 2011;Sounds of the Americans(score for Juilliard Music School theatrical performance of Sam Shepherd works)
  • 2012: Producer,Skipperdees(Some Bright Mourning)
  • 2012: Producer Alex Wright (Starlight Navigator)
  • 2014: Jim White v.s The Packway Handle Band (Jim White,Packway Handle Band)The Sawyer Sessions EP
  • 2015: Jim White v.s The Packway Handle Band (Jim White,Packway Handle Band)Take It Like A Man
  • 2015: Sigmatropic ' Every Soul Is A Boat ' 12' ep [Record Store Day] (vocals & lyrics on 'That Throne in Your Heart')
  • 2018 Producer Thomas Kozak (The Rubicon)
  • 2022: Producer Ben De La Cour (Sweet Anhedonia)
  • 2022: Producer Ane Diaz (Despechada)
  • 2023: Mama Lucky (Jim White,Tucker Martine,Linda Delgado)Permanent StrangerWorldwide Release

References

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  1. ^"Songwriter/Composer: PRATT MICHAEL DAVIS".BMI Repertoire.Broadcast Music Incorporated.Archived fromthe originalon July 19, 2012.RetrievedNovember 12,2011.
  2. ^White, Jim."White on White".v2music.com.V2 Records.Archived fromthe originalon November 19, 2007.RetrievedJune 1,2008.
  3. ^abAnkeny, Jason."Biography".Allmusic.Archivedfrom the original on May 22, 2024.RetrievedJune 1,2008.
  4. ^White, Jim; BBC Four (June 2, 2004)."Jim White Interview".BBC FourDocumentaries.BBC.Archived fromthe originalon August 30, 2009.RetrievedJune 1,2008.
  5. ^White, Jim; Henderson, Steve."Jim White – The Triste Interview".Triste Magazine(4).Archivedfrom the original on May 13, 2008.RetrievedJune 1,2008.
  6. ^"Wrong-Eyed Jesus! By Jim White".Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2022.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  7. ^White, Jim;Byrne, David(December 2, 2000)."David Byrne & Jim White Talk and Talk and Talk".luakabop.com.Luaka Bop.Archived fromthe originalon June 9, 2008.RetrievedJune 1,2008.
  8. ^"Archived copy".Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2022.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^"Archived copy".Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2022.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^"Holly Golightly".Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2022.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  11. ^"Fluff & Gravy Records".Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2022.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  12. ^"Misfit's Jubilee, by Jim White".Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2022.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  13. ^"The Mysterious Tale of How I Shouted Wrong-Eyed Jesus!".May 30, 1997.Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2022.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  14. ^"Shadow Distribution Discovers" Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus "for Theatrical Release".January 4, 2005.Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2022.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  15. ^"Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus (2003) Awards & Festivals".Archivedfrom the original on May 22, 2024.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  16. ^"Mama Lucky".Archived fromthe originalon December 16, 2009.
  17. ^"Jim White: Sounds of the Americans".February 14, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2022.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  18. ^"Jim White vs. The Packway Handle Band: Take It Like a Man, PopMatters".January 30, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2022.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  19. ^"Jim White on Packway project: 'We're a musical odd couple'".Archivedfrom the original on May 8, 2021.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  20. ^"White, Jim -& Mama Lucky- - Permanent Stranger (Multicolored)".Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2023.RetrievedDecember 21,2023.
  21. ^"Interview: Ane Diaz".Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2023.RetrievedDecember 21,2023.
  22. ^"REVIEW: Ben de la Cour" Sweet Anhedonia "- Americana Highways".April 12, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2023.RetrievedDecember 21,2023.
  23. ^"Mayer's Picks – the Best of 2023 (So Far), the Albums".Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2023.RetrievedDecember 21,2023.
  24. ^"Land".IMDb.Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2022.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  25. ^"Watch Ragged Heart Online | Vimeo on Demand".October 7, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2022.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  26. ^"Superwhite!".Archived fromthe originalon July 10, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 18,2011.
  27. ^"Jim White".Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2022.RetrievedNovember 7,2022.
  28. ^"Willow Avalon:" I've been in war mode for the past 10 years "| Interview".Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2023.RetrievedDecember 21,2023.
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