She started her musical career at age 18 in the distortion-heavy band Eric's Trip (named for a Sonic Youth song), and in the dozen years since she began to put out solo records, she's found ways to use instrumentation to explore the frayed edges of heartache and longing.

NPR: Julie Doiron: Heartache's Frayed Edges

By the '90s, Sonic Youth had become a fixture of college radio stations and achieved cult status with legions of other bands emulating their sound.

NPR: Sonic Youth's B-Sides Are Worthwhile and Strong

Though it began as more of an experiment in guitar noise and feedback than a rock band, Sonic Youth has cemented its legacy as one of the most important acts of its era, influencing countless performers both directly and indirectly.

NPR: Sonic Youth: The First Quarter-Century