38 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 24-30, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC “Songs have their time and sometimes that time comes around again,” says Iris Dement, the folk-country-gospel artist who’s been making her musical mark since the release of her first album, Infamous Angel, in 1992. Her early career was powered by support from the late John Prine, who wrote liner notes for the album and invited her to join a duet with him on the unforgettably risque tune “In Spite of Ourselves.” It was a far stretch from Dement’s Arkansas upbringing as one of 14 kids in a Pentecostal family. But she has always steered her own course, most recently on her 2023 album, Workin’ on a World, an attempt to process the despair she felt after Trump’s first election. The title song describes the inspiration she found by “thinking of the ones who came before,” adding, in her down home Southern spirit: “Now I’m workin’ on a world I may never see/I’m joinin’ forces with the warriors of love.” Another tune, “Going Down to Sing In Texas,” was written in the aftermath of the Uvalde school shooting. It takes down gun culture, George W. Bush (“that president who lied about WMD”) and Amazon chief Jeff Bezos. “That could have been one of those songs that never ended,” Dement says, talking from the road as she embarks on a national tour that includes a stop in Monterey on Friday, April 25. Asked what Prine would make of current events, she says, “I would never presume to know what John would think of something, but he left enough charms around. He landed on the truth and love side pretty consistently.” Did she envision a Trump 2.0 regime when she wrote the album? “I was just thinking about staying afloat,” she says. “But somewhere in there, I made an assumption that things would get better, and certainly not get worse.” By no means is Dement exclusively a protest singer. “The Sacred Now,” co-written with her stepdaughter Pieta Brown, reprises the universal themes of “Let the Mystery Be” from her debut album. “Whenever you put a song on an album that is quote unquote ‘political,’ the record gets cast that way,” she says, sighing. “I’m not wired for that kind of conflict. I’m talking about what’s happening on Tuesday around the kitchen table.” Iris Dement plays 7pm Friday, April 25. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $41-$104. 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com. COURTESY OF NORTHSTAR ARTISTS It’s Happening Folk singer Iris Dement renews some valuable old themes on her new tour. By Paul Wilner Iris Dement, left, often takes a stand in her songs. But the veteran performer’s goal has always been truth and love rather than conflict. FRESH. LOCAL. TASTY. Fisherman’s Wharf FRESHEST SEAFOOD with PANORAMIC VIEWS Open Daily at 11:30am • At the end of Fisherman’s Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 The Oven Pizzeria is here to help! Whether it’s a corporate event, family gathering, or a graduation party, we’ve got the perfect pizzas to please everyone. Choose from our classic East Coast thin crust or signature West Coast sourdough for that unique slice. Let us handle the meal, so you can enjoy the time. Craving Pizza? Catering made easy visit www.TheOvenOnBroadway.com for our menu Call us at 831-899-1762 to order! Carmel Valley Garden Club Garden Show & Plant Sale “Silhouette of the Valley” Free event • Donation Parking • Large plant, flower and veggie sale • Garden Art & Essentials • Multi-category flower competition • Photography competition • Silent auction on Saturday • Many gardening & craft vendors • Food from Woody’s • Buzzy’s children’s garden MAY 3rd & 4th 10am – 4pm at Hidden Valley Music Seminars in Carmel Valley Village • cvgardenclub.org
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