Melissa Auf der Maur: Full Life Interview

Рет қаралды 60,460

3 жыл бұрын

In this oral history Melissa Auf der Maur discusses growing up in a politically aware and public family, her early education in the arts, and picking up the bass at the age of 17. Auf der Maur talks about working in a club from a young age, her expectations of herself, and how she was asked to join Hole and initially refused. She details the experience of joining Hole, her work with the band, and why she eventually left. Auf der Maur talks about her career after Hole, emphasizing touring with Smashing Pumpkins for a year, and her two solo albums: Auf der Maur and Out Of Our Minds. Auf der Maur openly discusses pregnancy and motherhood. She also talks about her current project, Basilica Hudson, a community arts and performance venue in Hudson, New York. The interview concludes with her thoughts on her role in rock history, the visibility of women in the rock industry, and what she is most proud of.
Melissa Auf der Maur is a bassist, singer-songwriter, and photographer best known for her work in Hole. Auf der Maur currently lives in Hudson, New York with her husband and daughter.
Learn more at: WomenofRock.org
Interviewed by Tanya Pearson for the Women of Rock Oral History Project
Shot by Piper Preston and Jen Dessinger
The Women of Rock Oral History Project is a collection of digital interviews and written transcripts, housed at the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College-one of the oldest women’s history archives in the United States. Started by Tanya Pearson in December, 2014, WOROHP documents the lives and careers of women in rock whose work and careers have been underrepresented or omitted from rock journalism and historical scholarship. With a collection of publicized and accessible primary source documents, the Women of Rock Oral History Project seeks to facilitate a more comprehensive, inclusive, and accurate cultural history.
#rock #punk #interview #music #history

Пікірлер: 235

@warborn_inc. Жыл бұрын

Met her twice and she is hands down one of the most level headed down to earth "professional" musicians I've met (and I have met and worked with hundreds in my career) zero pretentious bullshit.

@nickthieling951 3 жыл бұрын

I adore Melissa's work. Her solo albums are so incredible.

@blackphillip8486 3 жыл бұрын

She's the only person who's ever gotten Glenn Danzig to do a duet or even feature on someone else's album. Damn good tune too.

@MrCt40 3 жыл бұрын

Which are her best solo albums ?

@MrCt40 3 жыл бұрын

@@nickthieling951 thanks so much she is totally underrated

@zackb5636 3 жыл бұрын

Waiting for album 3!

@nickthieling951 3 жыл бұрын

@@zackb5636 honestly 😭

@FictiveImagination 3 жыл бұрын

she's a legend

@Joolz1982 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant interview thanks so much.

@angelacino194 Жыл бұрын

Excellent interview!! Thank you so much :)

@Incoreporation Жыл бұрын

It’s so satisfying to watch this interview and hear about her experiences. Last time I saw Melissa was in Montreal, just before she got signed, I was only 17, I spotted Melissa a few times in a small bar called Biftek, on st-Laurent. It was a great era, and music was everything for me at that time. I remember being so happy for her, never saw her again until now, i never really knew what happened after, it’s just very satisfying to hear it from herself. All the best Melissa

@kvstrickland 8 ай бұрын

Wow… just finished this … goosebumps. So wonderful… thank you for sharing this… really needed to hear it.

@seanhuntsman7834 10 ай бұрын

I have to say i just saw this channel. SO SO glad I did. What an inspiring person Melissa is. Obviously introduced to her through Hole, pumpkins and a perfect circle. Ashamed to say I haven’t checked out her solo stuff… which I def will NOW!! I can’t say this often . But I literally was into this entire interview from start to finish. Not only are her chops amazing, so is she !! This has made me want to pull out the instrument and get back into music . .. for myself.. Side note. I think I have that same OuterKnown shirt in a few colors! Ha ha . Keep rockin Melissa and this channel!!!

@mlmn3080 3 жыл бұрын

The two reasons I learned to play bass were Melissa Auf der Maur and Talena Atfield (from Kittie). Thank you so much for this. Also, I so appreciate that while she isn't in it for the money, she also recognizes that if you contribute, you should be paid for that labor.

@spectrrral 3 жыл бұрын

For me it was Melissa and Kim Deal :)

@markhunter8554 2 жыл бұрын

A laborer is worthy of his hire.

@AmericanSpyFox Жыл бұрын

Talena yes, Melissa no. Melissa is a much better vocalist than bassist. That's why Celebrity Skin has more of her vocal tracks than Courtney's. Kristen Pfaff should be your idol if you're looking for a female bassist to look up to. Listen to her band Janitor Joe. She wrote most of their songs and they are fueled by her bass.

@shayburton4104 Жыл бұрын

@@AmericanSpyFoxMelissa is a awesome bassist shut your face and stop exploiting this woman. She is a very private individual and she would hate to be used for your exploitation on Courtney love and accusing her of murdering her own husband. I have contact with Melissa and I will tell her personally what your aim is and get her to copy right striked your channel.

@shayburton4104 Жыл бұрын

@@AmericanSpyFoxMelissa did not have more vocal tracks than Courtney’s she’s mainly singing in the background

@n0kturna1 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for these great interviews with the women in rock who wrote the soundtrack of my life

@drez4726 3 жыл бұрын

I never knew all this. After all these years all this inside info is fascinating. Great interview. 👍🏽

@tim_odonovan Жыл бұрын

Equal parts fascinating, inspirational and emotional. Thank you for this, and thank you Melissa 🤟🙏🤟🙏

@elavoy670 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. I am a french canadian and i am so glad to learn all about her family and how they are important in keeping the french language alive here. Thanks!!!!!

@raconteurful Жыл бұрын

Great interview. Such and interesting person. Incredible sounding upbringing/schooling she had. Thank you both.

@marlakash 3 жыл бұрын

thank you so much to melissa and the people who did this. so inspiring! i could listen to her talk for hours. i feel like a better person from listening to this (while doing domestic housechores which i suck at!)

@jumpgenx2571 4 ай бұрын

What a brilliant interview. I loved everything about this.

@sirtachyon4647 2 жыл бұрын

Great interview! Hopefully someone is going to make a biopic of this interview alone. Loving it.

@ladygodiva4141 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this 🖤

@666chinchilla 3 жыл бұрын

thanks M.you did your part and thank you for being brave and a white candle in a dark time of music.

@Pokav1deo Жыл бұрын

Recently stumbled upon your channel. This is absolutely excellent content. Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to watching all of these videos. Keep up the great work!

@ex_centric2933 4 ай бұрын

Very interesting interview conversation! I adore her 2 albums which I have. It would be great to release the first record on vinyl. Maximum respect to this amazing musician. Great human person Melissa.

@silverkw 3 жыл бұрын

Great interview with loads of info! Her harmony really made the Celebrity Skin record for me.

@mel3948 3 жыл бұрын

Talented, generous spirit and great storyteller. Bless

@stitches513 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome, Amazing and still finding out stuff that I didn’t know 26 years later! Longtime fan of MADM & Hole and this interview is just incredible! Immediately subscribed to this channel! Thank you!

@jameshong4190 2 жыл бұрын

Wow.. same here, she's intelligent and polite with her words, expecially I like her styles

@asharpbflat7179 Ай бұрын

Great interview! Saw her in 2004 in Vienna. Always adore her interviews. (Also love how she always credited Courtney. - Eat sh*t, haters.)

@bassrabbit9 2 жыл бұрын

Love her! She steals the stage. I love her style. Hope to check out Basilica one of these days.

@davidjonorato3554 2 жыл бұрын

The best interview of the whole series!

@pereldh5741 10 ай бұрын

What a great interview with a cracking artist! Saw her w the Pumpkins and listened to her ever since. Amazing she mentions Cooper Temple Clause, one of those great forgotten Liverpool bands

@jaguedes100 Жыл бұрын

what an amazing interview! this lady is so smart and so cool. glad she's well.

@ldswan9music Жыл бұрын

She has so much style. The Au Der Maur album is well ahead of it's time. Her music is very niche and unique.

@karenlima_the 2 жыл бұрын

Omg this is so fantastic! I love Melissa so much! Her first solo album was my first powerfull contact with a female rock role model and has changed my life and the whole thing for me. Thank you, Melissa! Keep being lovely and amazing and much happiness, art and love to u and your family! ❤❤❤🙏

@3340steve 3 жыл бұрын

I have total respect for this woman. She tells the truth about how insulting " business" people are. In the moment of rehearsal, a riff is brought in , two chords, one verse. After six hours or a week, the riff is there but you dont recognize it, there are now ten chords, there is a "song" and an arrangement that has been played ten different ways. Everyone present brings creativity (ideas and energy). When the record comes out, the front woman and the lead guitar guy wrote everything. Business as usual.

@scratch5191 3 жыл бұрын

The fact she couldn't be manipulated by people who were going all alpha on her speaks volumes. Six hundred a week in Hole? Pitiful. Know your value kids.

@kurtcobainpizza5606 2 жыл бұрын

You would be amazed how little most musicians mske on the road. Unless youre in U2 or Metallica you better save everything you make.

@Crosshatch1212 Жыл бұрын

Crazy now that we no cl can’t even play guitar has guitarists played over her , Her not paying that sound engineer and him realising that vid ,was brilliant ,

@vintagememories6560 4 ай бұрын

@@Crosshatch1212Courtney COULD play in the 90s when she was in Hole. She stopped playing after the 90s, and only held the guitar just for the fan service after that. She herself said that. Why do you all who say this act like it’s some secret lol. She can’t play anymore, she has said that multiple times, and she’s said she has no interest in playing anymore. Is it such a crime that someone doesn’t care about an instrument anymore and is doing something to appease her fans? lol.

@curragh4635 4 күн бұрын

@vintagememories6560 are you serious. You just don't forget how to play guitar after you stop playing lol. That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. You could put the instrument down for years and pick it up no problem

@csurname 2 жыл бұрын

A living legend. Thanks.

@adammercysystem6450 Жыл бұрын

Really interesting story and an inspirational person. She seems very contemplative, a deep thinker.

@dambrooks7578 3 жыл бұрын

This is a fantastic interview, I wholeheartedly agree with the idea of music not being a corporate business; not just because I would shout at audiences not to clap me as I am not a commodedy. Then I got into a street drumming (samba) band that took to the streets to keep protests happier than drudge.

@thedeepblueskys Жыл бұрын

Excellent interview.

@tvd1188 Жыл бұрын

I love Melissa's solo work, seriously underrated. I recently visited Hudson for the first time and the only thing i wanted to see was the Basilica! It was closed but what a beautiful building.

@redhotone1 2 жыл бұрын

Outstanding interview

@reidfarrill3917 Жыл бұрын

Incredibly articulate. An amazing long form story. Well worth listening to.

@veerchasm1 8 ай бұрын

I loved her time with the Pumpkins. Coolest chick ever. Super intelligent and articulate

@lordrex71 Жыл бұрын

Love Melissa and always wondered what she got up to after the solo records. I know this is a old video , but it filled in a lot of gaps and was very informative - going to dive into more vids and subscribe to this channel! Thank you

@BookerT555 2 жыл бұрын

Great interview

@RaiderDelic Жыл бұрын

😲 Wooow 😃! For me, about 4 years ago, with Pandora, the bass-line 🎸 in Hole’s Celebrity Skin WHAAAAPED ME 🤩. Now, I’ve learned more of, and waaaay dig Melissa 🤘🏾❤️.

@robertmichael7068 Жыл бұрын

For someone who really didn't have a plan for her life, it's amazing how so many things fell into place as if it were scripted! This is an awesome interview with an amazing woman, amazing musician and an amazing life! MAdM 🤘🎸❤️

@ciaran3629 10 ай бұрын

Research who her Dad really was it was all by design Courtney picked Melissa because her Dad is a very powerful journalist

@Igaveyoumyfakename 6 ай бұрын

Isn't this the experience of ALL white people? That everything in life just works out and falls into place for you?

@Liivethroughthis 5 ай бұрын

@@ciaran3629I heard Billy corgan was the one who introduced Melissa to Courtney?

@halko1802 3 жыл бұрын

She seems like such a great person. Sucks to hear she got screwed financially with Hole. Also, I had no idea that tour with Robert Smith, Muse, etc happened! And that last tour while she was pregnant sounded incredible! Love her! Such a great interview! 🤘🏼

@glennoc8585 2 жыл бұрын

I never knew that she got screwed over.

@tutsybassista 2 жыл бұрын

@@glennoc8585 Yes, how?

@marsoblivi0n945 8 ай бұрын

I was there and met Melissa by accident. She was wearing leather pants and they fell off her when she got off the ground to say hello. I just smiled and my pregnant girlfriend got so mad because she was in love with Melissa. Embarrassing but cool at the same time. It was called the cureiso fest or something. Cure played three albums back to back.

@Quarantineism 2 жыл бұрын

Terrific woman. Nothing more to say. Although unlikely in the near future, I still hope there will be another record.

@silvasun5326 Жыл бұрын

Everything seemed to happen so perfectly for her…never wanted to be in this band or that band but recruited anyway….never cared about money so not getting any doesn’t count as a loss….pregnant at will without delay…everything just falls into place so perfectly. Bless her forever.

@williamwixon Жыл бұрын

It does seem like she was being guided. She could sense the guidance.

@joejones9520 Жыл бұрын

and got to go to the unusual school with no social hierarchy or bullies...many people would be better and happier adults if they hadnt been traumatized by the nightmare of normal school.

@joejones9520 Жыл бұрын

@@bellabear653 there is no such thing as a professional guitar player/singer who has made it big who cant sing or play guitar, silly to even say it as an insult.

@AngelaBaldi 9 ай бұрын

I wish I could have gone to a school like that....@@joejones9520

@craighale1139 9 ай бұрын

I like that comment. It probably rings very true.

@phoenixivyroots7084 2 жыл бұрын

This was SO interesting and powerful! It's amazing to hear about Canadian musicians since they are still seen as less significant than USA musicians, unfortunately. I didn't know Melissa was so hippy, witchy, and feminist! I feel so inspired! I can say that Melissa, Courtney, Hole and the women of the 90s DID make an impact! They greatly influenced my life and perspectives, so I grew to know my voice mattered and that I could make a difference in the world! I saw them perform in Winnipeg at one of the festivals, and I will never forget it! I am so excited to see what the younger generations bring - they don't realize how lucky they are to have Melissa mentor them! I wish I could have been at the Courtney tribute as well! I now have to go look up all the things mentioned in this interview. THANKS for this!!!! Also, Tonya - could you PLEASE ask the interview questions using a microphone moving forward for accessibility reasons? Subtitles help, but it would be great to hear you since you not only ask questions, but comment and share as well!!!!!

@aaroncarson1770 Жыл бұрын

There's also quite a list of women rockers from Canada. Starting with Joni Mitchel, Buffy Saint Marie, Alannah Myles, Alanis Moressette, Sarah Mclachlan, Nelly Furtado, just for starters. Also big bands like Crash Test Dummies, The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Screaming Trees, Barenaked Ladies.

@tylermiska8380 Жыл бұрын

Such a good interview

@carmelo7237 3 жыл бұрын

I'm not happy without her music!

@anfrankogezamartincic1161 2 жыл бұрын

She really loves music and is not in it because of money. Let's be honest, we all work for money, but i really like her attitude, money is OK but it isn't everything. Greed kills art. I like this ladys view of the world/life

@italiacameron 5 ай бұрын

She is such an incredible badass, saw her at the Commodore with Hole during 'Live Through This', probably the best bas player I've ever seen, honestly she is just soooo cool

@vertigo2930 10 ай бұрын

I can listen to her forever..

@jackshittle 3 жыл бұрын

She's cool for many reasons.

@nevermind6406 11 ай бұрын

she's so inspiring!

@hemihead68 Жыл бұрын

Amazing woman, utmost respect

@kthurlbut Жыл бұрын

What an extraordinary woman!

@BarbaraT. Жыл бұрын

Her mother sounds like an amazing woman!

@andreaorofalo Жыл бұрын

Melissa is a very nice person, a very good bass player and a talented artist. I consider her first solo album her best effort so far. Her complete body of work, even considering all the bands she has been in, is indeed impressive.

@ryanthomas5507 9 ай бұрын

She is awesome!

@deathkampdrone 9 ай бұрын

Melissa always was and always will be one of the coolest persons in rock. When D'arcy and Pumpkins broke up, I was absolutely gutted. This woman was the only person who could step in without everything being completely fucked up even more. She is just a solid human being, and super cool. And a great bass player of course!

@heynowls3058 6 ай бұрын

Excellent. Thanks Melissa.

@joshuawilson112 Жыл бұрын

i love melissa. Her and kristen make bass look beautiful and it is

@bpsutherland 9 ай бұрын

Some of the questions, I wish I could hear them.

@maxdagg-heston4962 9 ай бұрын

Epic epic family the Auf Der Maur's - think shes got a little daughter so the legacy continues! Tarzana on le bass.

@MarthVaderxvida 8 ай бұрын

I do not have a strong maternal drive, but hearing her talk about her daughter's birth story made me so verklempt. You could see her radiate on another level.

@foodog777 9 ай бұрын

I ran into her in 2005 when the Pumpkins were reforming. I asked if she was going to be part of it. She said she would if Billy called her. His loss that he never did.

@AvecPoesie Жыл бұрын

Melissa seems a quietly-intellectual force of nature. 🖤

@Spice99857 Жыл бұрын

I knew there was something about her I couldn't stand.

@williamphillips24 11 ай бұрын

@@Spice99857 god forbid that a woman should be well spoken, educated, and confident....

@Spice99857 11 ай бұрын

@@williamphillips24 Look, if you really want to know the truth, I'm just jealous that she was Dave Grohl's girlfriend and I never was.

@Chipper6560 9 ай бұрын

She is so smart, articulate and with it. So impressive - her body of work and the way she's lived her life is so authentic. A complete bad ass in such a good way and a real role model for anyone - man or woman.

@Yalter777 Жыл бұрын

Love Melissa and her english is good.

@arcticmonkey3 7 ай бұрын

Why wouldn’t it be ?

@jucarcan 3 ай бұрын

She is fascinating.

@Liivethroughthis 5 ай бұрын

She is so intelligent and well-spoken

@sweetcell8767 5 ай бұрын

Celebrity Skin, great record. And Melissa is right, her harmonies make the album so damn good!

@LawrencePybus 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome...

@chouchoue 8 ай бұрын

This was 2 years ago, but finally, someone in entertainment openly disliking LA.

@timberbytucker5601 Жыл бұрын

This was probably one of the more interesting things that I have accidentally stumbled upon in quite some time.

@heartofthorns9245 2 жыл бұрын

min 11:33 first musical instrument min 12:40 sin expectativas, sin plan, estar en el momento, sin miedo, con corazón la aprobación de dios o la voz afirmativa de dios, sin querer seguridad min 15:05 min 32:26 gut reaction min 39:18 min 10:59 min 43:39 música y dinero min 46:58 stay with music min 42:20 insane contract, intuition and speak my mind min 1:16:40 min 1:17:21 min 1:21:00 witchy man and landscapes and the amazing life min 1:21:53 min 1:24:33 min 1:29:02

@instrumentsmrti Жыл бұрын

she's so beautiful

@grinstarr 9 ай бұрын

I met you both in Calgary on Courtney's birthday. Was not a fan of the band until a few years later. Thanks for the music.

@Grandizer8989 Жыл бұрын

My favorite back up singer next to The Edge

@littlemeg137 8 ай бұрын

I would love to see a zine of her cheat sheets! I would have been all over the 2004 tour with Robert Smith if I'd known it was happening. The music press really let them down.

@hanajinks1044 9 ай бұрын

I still love bands like Motorhead and Tool, but for me, Stooges, Pistols and Hole are on a completely 'nother level again. What gets me is her realization of just how great a lyricist Courtney is, no matter how belated.

@rpvaneyk Жыл бұрын

Wow!

@aisle_of_view 9 ай бұрын

I like Melissa!

@thomasbarchen 3 ай бұрын

I never heard of this women but she sure is solid.

@aprilized Жыл бұрын

How cool, I went to FACE as well and at the same time as her. I was in 7th grade and she was in 3rd grade from what I can tell by date of birth. Great school for sure but zero direction which is shitty for kids who need some framework

@tonictonetomrockstar1931 11 ай бұрын

beautiful and talented

@TheUnabashedQueer 11 ай бұрын

What a beautiful impromptu eulogy of her dad

@eddykidd Жыл бұрын

Hmmm. 18 is and was the drinking age in Quebec. That's why us Ontario kids would go there on the weekends

@gordonmccracken1209 2 жыл бұрын

The Smashing Pumpkins need her back w/ the band.

@tutsybassista Жыл бұрын

No. They need D'arcy, the original!

@dmvconartists6657 Жыл бұрын

1:03:42 can someone explain these comments- Nichole kidman ice queen??? Billie’s purse? I’m kinda confused tbh .. I could make a few assumptions but someone just tell me pleez

@cyberghost4043 6 ай бұрын

I love Mellisa she is so cute🥹😊

@OriginalAsherella Жыл бұрын

58:30 as a lifelong hard-core Smashing Pumpkins fan I love and appreciate Machina so much! I don’t think Melissa is giving the Pumpkins fans the credit they deserve… 🤷‍♀️

@wantutosigh1117 Жыл бұрын

Except for the part where she said Pumpkins fans are too hard on a certain album.

@suminshizzles6951 Жыл бұрын

"I am sorry. What was the question?" My thoughts exactly. I forgot the original question as well as she just went off on some monologue for half an hour. If there ever was a time for an interviewer to take charge and either re-direct or interrupt then this would have been it. I rarely get annoyed when people go off on one. The fans love it when their idols just talk and talk. I like it too. But coming from a perspective of not knowing her, own, music, the non stop talking and going off on a million different tangents is a bit annoying. I saw the pumpkins in 95 at the shoreline with a ton of different bands at the lollpalooza but i dont know if she was in the band at that time. Donita from L7 was at that show and she is interviewed in thsi series as well.

@obfuscated3090 2 жыл бұрын

Many musicians are musically articulate in song but incoherent off stage. MAdM does not have that problem and is exceptionally intelligent.

@arcticmonkey3 7 ай бұрын

Hole will do a couple reunion shows. It will happen. We only live once. And if it does I’ll be there wherever it is!

@MikeBodo 7 ай бұрын

Hole's lineup when Melissa was in it was the best. They were at the height of their powers when Celbrity Skin came out. It's unfortunate they didn't go on to bigger and better things, but that was all Courtney's doing, as she got wrapped up in they hollywood machine and making movies. Would have been interesting to see what could have been had she simply stuck to music and focused all her energy on Hole.

@arcticmonkey3 7 ай бұрын

Great comment. It’s too bad she wasn’t into Hole 💯 %. Oh what could have been….

@MikeBodo 7 ай бұрын

Actually, Melissa loved Hole but saw Courtney being pulled away from the band by her handlers who thought she could become this big Hollywood actress, which left the band in a lurch. In addition, she never got paid what she had coming to her, which made it an easy decision to leave.

@arcticmonkey3 7 ай бұрын

@@MikeBodoyes that’s what I’m talking about. Courtney wasn’t fully invested into Hole.

@Vrangor 8 ай бұрын

I have total respect and love for Melissa and Her music and there is no hate of any kind in what i'm going to say, but the thing that so liberated, self conscious and so talented woman, a full heart feminist's daughter chose to live in a place she hated and sacrifice her love for music for being a mother, just beacuse of love for a man who wanted to have babies and live i NY... Is so, so sad. But that's life, right? Or maybe i'm getting it wrong?