Third Man Records, the record label run by Jack White, has issued a statement claiming that quotes from a recent interview with White have been taken out of context.
The interview, which took place on Third Man’s own website, quoted White as saying that Meg White “doesn’t answer her phone” to him, adding that the band’s future is now over: “That time is gone.”
During the interview White also seemed to express a disinterest in playing live, saying “I’d say half the shows I play I’d rather not play. Festivals for example. But I have to make the best of it and try to get inspired.”
However, a statement posted by a Third Man Records spokesperson on Facebook, says the interview has been spun by other news sites to look more sensational than it was. It reads: “Friends, family, journalists, naysayers, believers, tweeter & ‘grammers... I know we’ve all enjoyed our game of click bait bingo with Jack White this past year. Whatever it is, fear not because you are in the age of instantaneous negative internet gratification.”
Regarding the remarks about Meg White, Third Man write: “[Meg] doesn’t have to answer her phone. [Jack is] not even complaining about that nor is it depressing. The White Stripes is over and it’s been said a hundred times, and maybe that’s just the quickest way for him to answer that question he gets asked a dozen times a day. Jack loves Meg, and she’s an incredible drummer - nobody can do what she does and did with the White Stripes - but those days are unfortunately gone. Let’s move on, Jack and Meg have.”
The original interview also implied that White might not tour again, at least not in any recognisable form, quoting White as saying: “It’s very expensive to tour, people think that’s how musicians make their money these days sadly, but it’s hard to go on the road no matter what size you are … only seated theatres for acoustic shows for the rest of my days.”
But the statement believes this was also taken out of context: “[Jack] never said that, but he IS taking a long break from the road (which was previously announced and discussed drama free over a month ago). He said he’d like to do acoustic shows in sit down venues and electric shows in standing venues. He said he doesn’t like festivals but hey, he does them anyway and he makes them work. Bonnaroo and Coachella were two of the greatest shows he’s ever been a part of.”
On Jack White’s musical future – which was thrown up in the air by quotes such as “sometimes creating in a closet and never releasing it has it’s advantages” – the label said: “He is not quitting music. He’s working with the Dead Weather next week, he’s involved in several projects we’re not even gonna tell you about right now cause we don’t want to ruin the surprise.”
Stay tuned for a statement claiming that the statement about the interview has also been taken out of context.
