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Damien Jurado is an incredibly heartfelt, sincere singer-songwriter who has crafted more than 12 albums in his long career. But his love affair with music began with the acrid tang of punk rock, and a mysterious stranger who taught him all he knew about punk. Check out Damien's latest album, Maraqopa, at http://damienjurado.com. It's whimsical and revelatory and magical. This episode was produced by Julia DeWitt and Stephanie Foo with mixing help from Renzo Gorrio.

Zachary Gray of the rock band the Zolas is a nice dude. No, really, he's a super nice dude. And he's never been in a fight...which is why his first physical encounter is so damn funny. All the music in this piece was by the Zolas. Thanks much to them...and please go listen to their rad new album, Ancient Mars, ASAP!

Gossip's Beth Ditto is a gorgeous rockstar with a huge voice by night, but by day she is just a regular Southern girl who likes to shop at Loehmann's. Here, she tells a story about her first brush with fame at the bicentennial of her hometown-- Georgetown, Arkansas. All music in this piece is by Gossip. Please listen to their incredible new album, A Joyful Noise. It is made to sing (and dance!) along to.

Paul Sanchez had been a reveling singer and songwriter for decades--it was his entire life. But when tragedy struck the one thing he loved more than his music, he realized that his performing days were numbered. Most of the music in this piece was by Paul Sanchez, including songs from the musical he is currently working on, Nine Lives. It's a musical about the history of New Orleans between hurricanes Isaac and Katrina--you can hear it on Spotify already, so definitely listen. And thanks so much to Snap Judgment, who originally aired this story.

Beats Antique kinda sounds like if personifications of the world's traditional music all got high and went clubbing together--a blend of Middle-Eastern, Balkan, African and American jams. Drummer Tommy Cappel tells a story of how he came to play Balkan music. His tale is set in the famous Guča Festival in Serbia, where his crazy, sexy Extra Action Marching Band came up against the world's best brass bands.

Yeasayer is a psychedelic pop-rock band out of Brooklyn, New York. Frontman Chris Keating tells a story about his grandparents' ashes--he thinks that he's going to Ireland for a simple burial, but his father has much more planned. All the music in this piece was by Yeasayer, with the exception of "The Gold Ring Jig," by Jordi Savall. They just came out with a new album called "Fragrant World." Listen to it. It is so, so good.

Kraddy's one of the founding members of the legendary Glitch Mob, and an incredible DJ in his own right. He's got an album called "Anthems of the Hero," and once upon a time, he was given the opportunity in an island paradise to be a hero himself. All the music in this piece was by Kraddy. He even made a track specially for this episode of Stagedive! Download it here: http://soundcloud.com/ambionic-1/kraddy-surf-rock-song

Butch Vig is a legendary producer. You might have heard of his work--Nirvana's Nevermind, maybe? He's also the drummer for Garbage, one of the most prolific and recognized rock bands of all time. So Butch has performed a lot--over 1,000 shows, all counted. But his most memorable show of all was in Serbia. In a castle. Surrounded by zombies. All the music in this piece was by Garbage. Listen to their latest album, Not Your Kind of People. It is catchy and it kills. Thanks so much to Butch and the band!

Stagedive is a podcast where musicians tell their stories, and their music brings them to life. Fun is known for their hit single, "We Are Young," featuring Janelle Monae, but the fierce and fiery band has slew of killer songs featuring fervent violins and thundering piano riffs. Nate Ruess' earnest lyrics soar alongside Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff's melodies. In this story, Jack talks about seeing a local production of the musical "Pippin" that goes violently awry. All the music in this piece was by Fun and the 1972 Broadway cast of Pippin. Check out Fun's new album, Some Nights, and catch them on tour this summer!

Stagedive is a podcast where musicians tell their stories, and their music brings them to life. Neon Trees is an awesome pop-rock band that was on the road, trying to get to a huge festival with 120,000 screaming fans. But on the flight over, they are cornered by a furious FBI Agent/ stewardess. Will they be able to make it to the concert or will they wind up in jail? Thanks so much to Neon Trees for the interview and for the use of their music! Check out their new album, Picture Show. And thanks, BFD!

Stagedive is a podcast where musicians tell their stories, and their music brings them to life. Grouplove's album, Never Trust A Happy Song, featuring their hit single Tongue Tied, is a swirling, bursting playground of an album. But the studio in which they recorded the album had a decidedly different vibe. Band members Christian Zucconi, Andrew Wessen and Ryan Rabin tell us about recording in Ryan's apartment building and the shady host of neighbors that almost got them arrested. Thanks so much to Grouplove for the interview and for the use of their music! And thanks, BFD!

Stagedive is a podcast where musicians tell their stories, and their music brings them to life. Justice is now an international sensation, with a Grammy, a gold record and sold-out epic shows across the world. But before they were superstars, they were just a couple of weird kids making strange glitchy noises that nobody could stand. Stagedive tracks their evolution by going behind the scenes of their hit single Waters of Nazareth. Thanks so much to Justice for the interview and for their music. We also used remixes of Waters of Nazareth by Erol Alkan, Pocketvince and TA DA.

Stagedive is a podcast where musicians tell their stories, and their music brings them to life. Kevin Johnson from the band Weekend thought that their tour bus breaking down in the middle of New Jersey was going to completely crumple their career. But instead, thanks to the mischievous Young Prisms, their breakdown achieved the exact opposite. Thanks so much to Weekend and to Kevin! Check out Weekend's new EP, Red--it's awesome.

Stagedive is a podcast where musicians tell their stories, and their music brings them to life. In Thao's family, nobody really talked about anything significant besides what they were going to eat for dinner. And so she was shocked to hear that her grandmother had a dark relationship with her grandfather. So she went back home to interview her grandma and find out more. Thanks so much to Thao Nguyen, who composed the music used here specifically for this piece! Catch more of her genius at Radiolab's live show, where she is performs the live score. She's currently working on a new album, but in the meantime, check out her album, We Brave Bee Stings and All. Thanks also to Snap Judgment, who originally ran this piece.

Stagedive is a podcast where musicians tell their stories, and their music brings them to life. Geographer's Mike Deni is such a cutie, but believe it or not, there was a time when he had a hard time gettin' chicks. As an English major studying Petrarchan poetry, he figured he could win them over with his words. But then he had to live up to the lyrics he was spoutin'. Thanks so much to Geographer and Mike Deni--please go buy their latest album, Myth, and listen to Animal Shapes! Thanks also to Snap Judgment, who originally ran this story. Thanks so much to Geographer, Mike Deni and to Snap Judgment -- who originally ran this story.

Stagedive is a podcast where musicians tell their stories, and their music brings them to life. When Red Wanting Blue's Scott Terry had tour bus issues on the road, he thought that his band was done for. But the kindness of strangers (and strangers' beers) had more power than he anticipated. Thanks so much to Red Wanting Blue, Scott Terry and to Snap Judgment -- who originally ran this story.

Stagedive is a podcast where musicians tell their stories, and their music brings them to life. The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne has multiple grammies and gold albums under his belt now, sure. But before he was a rockstar, worked at Long John Silver's for a decade. And the occupational hazards went beyond the odd oil splatter. Thanks so much to Wayne, The Flaming Lips, The Harmony Festival, and Snap Judgment--who originally ran this story.