Biography
Kristin Lems composes, writes songs, sings, and plays multiple instruments with notable skill. Her mother Carol Lems-Dworkin worked as a concert pianist, while her father, a Dutch immigrant, also showed strong musical leanings. Training therefore began in childhood, first at the piano before she added oboe, guitar, composition studies, and voice. During her teenage years she secured her initial paid engagement, performing at a birthday party for twenty dollars. Once she reached college she was already appearing regularly at coffeehouses and similar venues. Her songs consistently entertain while frequently highlighting themes that empower women, which has led her to perform at events such as the Million Mom March in Chicago and at benefits supporting civil rights and ecological causes. In 1974 she established the National Women's Music Festival.
Her style blends pop and folk elements with occasional rock accents. The inventive lyrics prompt reflection, and the humorous details she incorporates often elicit laughter. Across her career she has shared stages or served as opener for Steve Goodman, Dan Fogelberg, Charlie King, Jane Sapp, and Peter, Paul and Mary. Her debut album, Oh Mama, appeared in 1978 and featured such tracks as "Mammary Glands," "Talkin Gender Neutral Blues," "The Three Madonnas," and "Farmer." Three years later came In the Out Door, followed in 1983 by We Will Never Give Up. Born a Woman, issued by Flying Fish Records in 1986, contained thirteen original songs, earned favorable notices, and reached a Top Ten folk/country ranking in Chicago Reader's. Sharing arrived in 1989 and Upbeat! in 1994. In 2000 the debut received a CD reissue under the expanded title Oh Mama -- Plus!, adding three new tracks. Among the songs that appear across her recordings are "Ballad of the ERA," "How Nice," "Wrinkles," and "Open Sesame."
Her style blends pop and folk elements with occasional rock accents. The inventive lyrics prompt reflection, and the humorous details she incorporates often elicit laughter. Across her career she has shared stages or served as opener for Steve Goodman, Dan Fogelberg, Charlie King, Jane Sapp, and Peter, Paul and Mary. Her debut album, Oh Mama, appeared in 1978 and featured such tracks as "Mammary Glands," "Talkin Gender Neutral Blues," "The Three Madonnas," and "Farmer." Three years later came In the Out Door, followed in 1983 by We Will Never Give Up. Born a Woman, issued by Flying Fish Records in 1986, contained thirteen original songs, earned favorable notices, and reached a Top Ten folk/country ranking in Chicago Reader's. Sharing arrived in 1989 and Upbeat! in 1994. In 2000 the debut received a CD reissue under the expanded title Oh Mama -- Plus!, adding three new tracks. Among the songs that appear across her recordings are "Ballad of the ERA," "How Nice," "Wrinkles," and "Open Sesame."
Albums
