When creativity is your only option
Jack White created a band with self-imposed limits and constraints. Vocals, guitar, and drums were the only components. They used primitive recording equipment and minimal effects. His guitar was cheap — made of plastic and sold in department stores during the 1960s. The drummer Meg had only an elementary knowledge of the instrument.
Their shows were not pre-planned, each song was chosen spontaneously. There were no guest or backing stage musicians. He designed the stage to be as difficult to navigate as possible, intentionally spreading out the mics, pedals, and other instruments that he needed, forcing himself to rush to where he needed to be in time for the chorus or tempo change.
They could only dress in red, black, or white. Even his roadies had uniforms.
He made it all as difficult and uncomfortable as possible. He gave the band no luxury and very few options.
He did this because he knew that options are the death of creativity. And when you boxed yourself in, you were forced to innovate and think differently if you wanted to make something original.
And the work speaks for itself.
Originally published at ERIC HAGEMANN.
