Melissa Auf Der Maur and the music industry’s #MeToo reckoning
The music industry is having to reckon will all kinds of #MeToo issues. Given that this is an industry has been built on creating and selling sex (as well as creating an environment where questionable behavior is not only tolerated but encouraged), a lot of people are nervously looking over their shoulders.
Melissa Auf Der Maur, best known as the bassist player with Hole and the Smashing Pumpkins, spoke with the Calgary Herald about what’s playing out in front of us.
Allegations of sexual misconduct swirling around pop-rockers Hedley have put the spotlight on an industry long defined by the mantra of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll — but several music veterans believe a powerful sea change is already well underway.
As the explosive #metoo movement is upending patriarchy in Hollywood and politics, the music industry, too, has been awakening to deeply ingrained gender inequities and increasing pressure to change its ways, said Melissa Auf der Maur.
“The climate is different and there’s all kinds of improvements happening at large,” said Auf der Maur, whose heyday as a bass player included stints with the ’90s bands Hole and Smashing Pumpkins.
“With every decade there have been efforts to try to address this inequality.”
Anonymous claims about sexual misconduct involving young Hedley fans emerged last week, allegations that the band has said are “unsubstantiated.”
