Iris DeMent (born 5 January 1961) is an American country/folk singer and songwriter. She was the fourteenth and last child of Pat DeMent and the sixth child of his second wife, Flora Mae. She was born near the town of Paragould, Arkansas but grew up in California, where she was exposed to and influenced by country and gospel music.

DeMent writes songs about everyday experiences in simple language. Her first album, Infamous Angel, was released in 1992 and explores themes like religious scepticism, living in a small town, "where nothing good ever lasts", and forgiving human frailty. In her second album, My Life, released in 1994, she continues the personal and introspective approach. Her third album, The Way I Should, released in 1996, tackles fiercely political topics like sexual abuse, religion, government policy, and Vietnam.

She has sung duets with John Prine, Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris and is featured on the albums of many other performers. She makes frequent appearances on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion, and also appeared in the movie Songcatcher, playing the character Rose Gentry and singing on the soundtrack as well.

Discography

• Infamous Angel (1993)
• My Life (1994)
• The Way I Should (1996)
• Lifeline (2004)

External links

• Iris DeMent Homepage

Further reading

• In The Country of Country: A Journey to the Roots of American Music, Nicholas Dawidoff, Vintage Books, 1998, ISBN 0-375-70082-x