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Hudson Today
By the People, for the People
Melissa Auf Der Maur, Grunge Icon, Finds Quiet Life in Hudson
The former Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist has hardly picked up her bass since 2011, but her memoir 'Even the Good Girls Will Cry' is set to release next month.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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Melissa Auf Der Maur, who rose to fame as the bassist for the bands Hole and Smashing Pumpkins, has been living a quiet life in the upstate New York town of Hudson for the past 18 years. After years of life on the rock 'n' roll road, Auf Der Maur has hardly picked up her bass since 2011. Her upcoming memoir, 'Even the Good Girls Will Cry,' is set to be released next month, offering a glimpse into the peaks and traumas of her time in the music industry.
Why it matters
Auf Der Maur's story provides a unique perspective on the grunge era and the challenges of navigating the music industry as a woman. Her decision to step away from the spotlight and embrace a more low-key lifestyle in Hudson reflects a growing trend among former music stars seeking a sense of balance and community.
The details
Auf Der Maur shot to fame in the 1990s as the bassist for the bands Hole and Smashing Pumpkins. After years of life on the road, she and her husband have been running an arts center in the upstate New York town of Hudson for the past 18 years. Auf Der Maur has hardly picked up her bass since 2011, a stark contrast to her earlier career. Her upcoming memoir, 'Even the Good Girls Will Cry,' is set to offer a candid look at the peaks and traumas of her time in the music industry.
- Auf Der Maur has been living in Hudson, New York for the past 18 years.
- Her memoir 'Even the Good Girls Will Cry' is set to be released next month.
The players
Melissa Auf Der Maur
A former bassist for the bands Hole and Smashing Pumpkins who has been living a quiet life in Hudson, New York for the past 18 years.
What they’re saying
“I don't think I realized how hard it was for me then, even though I was the luckiest girl in the world.”
— Melissa Auf Der Maur (The New York Times)
The takeaway
Auf Der Maur's story highlights the challenges and pressures of life in the music industry, particularly for women, and the appeal of finding a sense of balance and community in a quieter, more rural setting like Hudson, New York.
