Jude

Born Michael Jude Christodal in Massachusetts, the singer-songwriter later known as Jude developed an early connection to music as the child of a working musician. After completing a philosophy degree, he passed through Charleston, South Carolina, before settling in Los Angeles, where he took a series of entry-level positions that included dishwasher, janitor, delivery boy, and postal worker. Maverick Records eventually took notice of his independently issued 1997 acoustic debut, 430 N. Harper Ave., which had first appeared on the Fish of Death imprint. The following year he issued his first studio-backed effort, No One’s Really Beautiful, which drew favorable notices from critics. To promote the record he toured alongside Train and Ben Folds Five, then retreated to the studio to finish King of Yesterday, released in September 2001.