Born into a world of music—her mother, a celebrated concert pianist, and her father, a Dutch immigrant with a deep love for melody—Kristin Lems' musical journey began early. Growing up in Evanston, Illinois, she immersed herself in creative expression: studying music, singing in choirs, playing in ensembles, and writing award-winning poems and essays. By high school, she was already teaching guitar, directing a youth choir, performing at children’s birthday parties, and learning the timeless language of folk songs.
After graduation, Kristin dove even deeper. She continued learning, singing, and writing her own music, eventually forming her independent label, Carolsdatter Productions, launching a music festival, and performing across the country.
Whether energizing a crowd at a rally or captivating audiences from children to seniors, Kristin has shared the stage with cultural icons and changemakers. Her performances have intersected with the lives of two First Ladies, Maya Angelou, Captain Jacques Cousteau, Gloria Steinem, Helen Caldicott, and Rev. Jesse Jackson. She’s also appeared alongside renowned musicians like Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul and Mary, Holly Near, Tom Morello, Malvina Reynolds, Dan Fogelberg, Koko Taylor, Gil Scott-Heron, and the BoDeans—a testament to her versatility, passion, and enduring impact.
IN THE PRESS
"...a charmer in the most literal and least artificial sense of the word."
- The New Yorker
"Kristin not only has a beautiful voice, clear, crisp and forceful, but she is a very creative and thoughtful lyricist."
- Illinois Times
“Kristin Lems proves (with “Mammary Glands”) that the women’s movement has a sense of humor“
- Gloria Steinem
“Kristin says proudly, and rightfully, that she can write a song on any topic.”
- National Public Radio
Want to know more? Three excellent audio interviews, with many historic photos and links, can be found at:
In them, she shares her lived history about singing for the Equal Rights Amendment, the feminist movement, and as a troubadour for America’s social movements.
She’s also included in the 2003 “rockumentary”, Radical Harmonies, interviewed about the National Women’s Music Festival in Champaign-Urbana.
Where to Find the Music...
Kristin’s lp’s and CDs can be found in several places.
Goldenrod Music distributes 5 of her albums as individual downloads, full downloads, & physical CD's.
You can sample each of the songs and read reviews of them - something for everyone!
Two of Kristin’s albums are not currently available for physical purchase or download but can be streamed: Kristin’s 1986 release on Flying Fish Records, renamed Where do the Animals Go, and her 2016 release, Imagine That! Songs for Creative Teachers on Spotify.
Other places to purchase downloads of Kristin’s many classic songs include Apple Music, Amazon, ITunes, and at various sites selling lps and even Kristin’s 3 45’s. Your patronage is appreciated.
For questions about any of her releases, email us at kristinlemsmusic@gmail.com
About The Music
Kristin's eclectic songwriting runs the gamut from her hit tune “Mammary Glands” and the women’s movement anthems “Ballad of the ERA” and “We Will Never Give Up,” to ecological ballads such as “Cuyahoga River,” and a sentimental tribute to our “Wrinkles.”
These and more songs are recorded on 7 full length albums of mostly original material, as well as an album of original songs with a book for children, called Sharing.
Kristin’s songs are on soundtracks, in prize-winning musical anthologies, in songbooks, and they are recorded by musicians and choirs.
Her musical revue, Catch it on the Run, was performed at an Urbana theatre, and she has written a full-length musical, Saint Jane and the Wicked Wicks, set in the early years of Hull House, America’s first settlement house. You can air the whole show at the link above.
Kristin's Awards
Kristin founded the legendary National Women’s Music Festival, an annual festival of women in music and the arts, and she has received awards and recognition for this important work.
She received the Humanist Heroine Award from the American Humanist Association, the Freethought Heroine Award from FFRF, and the Mossadegh Servant Leader Award for "lifetime contributions as a humanitarian singer and songwriter" from Northeastern Illinois University.
Kristin is one of 100 women listed at a mural in Evanston, honoring women who worked for equality and justice.
