Jude's debut album, 430 N. Harper Ave, was released independently by the Fish of Death label in 1997.

During this time, Jude also toured with Alanis Morissette, Ben Folds Five, The Cranberries, Dido, Tori Amos, Better Than Ezra, Train, and Chris Isaak.

Jude soon parted ways with Maverick and produced his subsequent albums independently (Sarah in 2004 and Redemption in 2006).

In 2006, Jude, Chris Seefried, Jeff Russo and Dave Gibbs formed the band Low Stars.

The song "Calling All Friends", which appears on the album and was penned by Jude, is the theme for the ABC drama What About Brian.