And I've been walking 'round with memories way too long.
Iris Dement

For a long time I was interested in being a social worker. In a lot of ways I feel that that's all my music is, trying to help people.
Iris DeMent

I don't describe myself as a Christian or religious, but I like to think that how I live my life is honest.
Iris DeMent

I don't know what other people are like, I haven't been able to crawl inside anybody else.
Iris DeMent

I honestly don't listen to a lot of music - I spend so much time working at my own music.
Iris DeMent

I never set out to write songs about the world around me... it just kind of came about as a result of paying more attention to things.
Iris DeMent

I was mainly influenced by the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, and others like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash.
Iris DeMent

I've always been aware of having feelings that were pretty intense at times. I imagine most people have had that, or they wouldn't be human.
Iris DeMent

I've always written about things that cause me to feel something.
Iris DeMent

If something bothers me, it bothers me for a long time until I find a way to work it out. Music provided me with a means of working things out.
Iris DeMent


Making the record was tons of fun, the most fun I've ever had.
Iris DeMent

Maybe I spent more time dwelling on emotions than some people, and maybe that's why I ended up writing.
Iris DeMent

Most of the music you hear on the radio today is developed for making money. It doesn't feel true or honest. You can feel it in the music.
Iris DeMent

My guitar is really tempermental. I don't give up on it though, I'm close to my guitar!
Iris DeMent

Some guy refuses to fight and we call that the sin, but he's standing up for what he believes in and that seems pretty damned American to me.
Iris Dement

This is how it has been since time began: If you want to make something really worthwhile and true, then you have to suffer for it.
Iris DeMent

Turn off the TV and start digging around for information that's not from a corporation trying to make money.
Iris DeMent

Writing, overall, has never been what I'd call fun. It's fulfilling. It doesn't come real easy for me.
Iris DeMent