In her adopted home of Toronto, Arlene has a deserved reputation as an engaging performer whose passion, intensity and offbeat sense of humor can easily transform a polite audience into instant fans. Her voice is a clear, penetrating instrument that cuts through reserve and indifference and demands to be heard. As a result, Bishop has been a favorite opening act for some of Canada's best songwriters, including Bruce Cockburn, Ron Sexsmith and Barenaked Ladies; she's also shared stages with Ani DiFranco and The Beach Boys.

The driving, powerful quartet that is Arlene's band is led by guitarist/producer Blair Packham. Roaring like a grizzly bear or purring like a pussycat, Arlene and her band cover a lot of territory, from the tiny perfection of "(You Can't) Bend The River" to the driving pop-single sheen of "Bow Before Your Love" to the stark, slow-building terror of "Eddie Standing Ready".

Arlene has had life experiences that are beginning to filter into her songs. Born on an Indian reservation in Churchill, Manitoba, she moved with her family from place to place, spending childhood summers near Ipperwash, in southwestern Ontario; the rest of the year was spent in suburban Ottawa. Though she'd been secretly songwriting since she was eight years old, Arlene never played for an audience until her musician boyfriend died in his sleep beside her one night soon after they moved together to Toronto. She took up his acoustic guitar, and performed at his memorial concert a few weeks later.

Along with her strong live shows, Arlene has enjoyed success with her recordings. Pinky, her six-song indie debut, was a small wonder, winning unanimous critical acclaim across Canada in the summer of 1996. The lead-off track-"Spin Another One"-appeared in the HBO/Rob Lowe television feature First Degree and the Global/CanWest series Madison. Based on Pinky, the U.S. magazine Musician chose Arlene Bishop as one of the Top 25 finalists (of over 3000 entries) in their Best Unsigned Band Contest of 1996.

Always writing, Arlene is currently recording her first full-length album. Expect a new release in mid-1998.

Pinky
CD $15.00 ON SALE AGAIN SEPTEMEBER 8, 2003

1. Spin Another One
2. Cherry Moon
3. Small Girlish Hands
4. I Can't Stand It
5. Black Cat
6. Rabbits