As a leading figure in the garage rock revival, White put a new twist on things. His deep love for blues was beautifully incorporated into the powerful electric guitar and harsh lyrics of his first project, his band The White Stripes. Formed with his wife at the time, the two created music together even after the end of their relationship.
Once his original band had run its course, White turned in a different direction. He formed a new band, The Raconteurs. This time he headed in a more pop-focused direction, at a time when alternative artists still hit the top 40. Aside from his new band, White also moved to Nashville and started his own recording studio, Third Man Records. Here he would invite bands passing through town to come in and record a live set which he would press straight to vinyl.
(I own this Shins album, it's great).
As White became more involved in the studio, he moved away from the band and decided to launch a solo career. In his solo albums, you really get a feel for who Jack White is as an artist and creative. His experience in producing and the use of vinyl allowed him to use technology to enhance his music and add unique elements.
I think a major part of White's creativity comes from collaborating with people all over the industry and working with artists that have different styles. By experimenting with different styles, he can incorporate pieces of many genres into his albums creating something that hasn't been done before.
In an interview, White explains the importance of deadlines and pressure. In order to do his best work, he needs to be under some kind of pressure to really focus and put all he had into his work (seems like a procrastinator to me). All aspects of his work seem to be restricted in some way. With The White Stripes, he felt that every album, instrument, and outfit worn had to be black and red to establish an aesthetic for the band. To him it required more creativity to create within restricted guidelines.
Jack White helped in shaping alternative music in the early 00's and what was considered popular at the time. While his music is no longer the mainstream, he continues to influence the genre and excite those that still follow his work.
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