Jurado's solo career began during the mid-1990s, releasing lo-fi folk based recordings on his own cassette-only label, Casa Recordings. Gaining a local cult following in Seattle, he was brought to the attention of Sub Pop Records by Sunny Day Real Estate singer Jeremy Enigk. After two 7-inch releases ("Motorbike" and "Trampoline") Sub Pop issued his first full album, "Waters Ave S." in 1997. His second album "Rehearsals for Departure", was released in 1999, produced by Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, Big Star, R.E.M.).