While this artist is known as a sort of darling in the indie folk scene, his roots are in the Christian punk/emo scene of the Pacific NW in the 90s. With connections to Pedro the Lion, Roadside Monument, Poor Old Lu, etc. Jurado released some 7″ singles on the then-fledgling Christian label Tooth and Nail Records. Even his debut was a co-release with Tooth and Nail and SubPop, the latter a connection that came through his friend Jeremy Enigk of Sunny Day Real Estate.
Apart from some of his early punk-leaning projects, Jurado has not been one to proclaim faith through his music, opting instead to tell stories both real and fictional. His faith is present in his life, but he’s preferred storytelling to sloganeering. Across nearly 4 decades, Damien’s work has showed an original and uncompromising commitment to artistry and songcraft, despite whatever trends came and went. All of his work is deeply compelling, but I’ve chosen a song from his early period, and his brief foray with the Christian industry. “Frustrated” comes from the Vary 7″, released in 1997 on transparent blue vinyl through Tooth and Nail Records.
