White was born in California but moved to Pensacola, Florida at the age of 5. He was influenced in his childhood by gospel music. According to various sources, he has been a comedian, a fashion model, a boxer, a preacher, a professional surfer, and a New York City cab driver. 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." However, during a party organized by film school friends, White began to perform, and began writing material for an album soon afterward.
Musical career and performances
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. 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 band has no fixed lineup, but regularly includes musicians such as Dan Nettles ; Peter Alvanos, Robby Handley, Steve Bishop Maples ; Rob McMaken, Marlon Patton and Mark Tulk. White's albums often feature collaborations. On Wrong-Eyed Jesus, folk singerVictoria 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. 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 titled Mama Lucky. Mama Lucky's first release 'Permanent Stranger' was released February 2009.
Discography
Albums
1997: Wrong-Eyed Jesus
2001: No Such Place
2004: Drill a Hole in That Substrate and Tell Me What You See
"Superwhite! / Wild-Eyed Tree," The Douglas Hyde Gallery, 2009. In conjunction with art exhibit. "Includes autobiographical text, Superwhite, and previously unreleased lyrics by Jim White. Also included are images of the exhibition and photographs by Jim White." Recipient of 2014 Pushcart Prize for short fiction story Superwhite, published in Radio Silence.
Theater
Musical Score to "The Americans", a Sam Shepard play, Juilliard School of Music NYC, 11 February 2010
