Arlene Bishop

Truly entertaining, definitely performance savvy and certainly clued into the power of a great pop hook, Arlene Bishop and her band are back with their sublimely catchy and well crafted pop. Tight harmonies, dynamic performances and biting sarcastic banter abound as Bishop and crew perform songs from Pinky>, Snarkygirlpop and Cut a Man's Heart Out.

Dynamic performances have helped Bishop win over audiences from Toronto to Victoria. Bishop and her band, led by producer/guitarist Blair Packham continue to evolve and refine their musical relationship while bringing the art of between song patter to new heights.

A biographical interview by Sharon Merkur

It's good...if you like that arty stuff

As I step into her local coffee shop to interview Arlene Bishop I can't help but notice her perfect skin and petite nose. I'm therefore a little shocked at what follows: "Last night, I told the audience that I had just placed first in the 'Regional Breast Competition.' It was a lie. They knew it couldn't possibly be true but they loved it anyway," she smiles playfully. Unlike her often brooding contemporaries, Bishop deftly merges her powerful and grooving songs with sometimes silly banter. She likes the contrast. She sets her enigmatic stories of love and death to melodies that are truly affecting and then talks about anything under the sun that's on her mind. So far, Arlene prefers performing in smaller rooms where she can look the audience in the eye. "It's not a TV show. I'm there, the audience is there and we're all 'live'," she says.

It's like poetry without the boring bits.

In her adopted home of Toronto, Arlene has a deserved reputation as an engaging performer whose passion and offbeat sense of humor has made her a favourite act for musicians and listeners alike. Her voice is a clear, penetrating instrument that cuts through reserve and indifference, delivering poetic images and compelling lyrics.

Pinky, her first EP, also introduced Arlene Bishop's music to film and television. Among other inclusions, 98 Points from Bishop's recently released Snarky Girlpop is featured in NEW WATERFORD GIRL.

You can clean your house and listen at the same time.

Bishop's ability as a storyteller is evidenced each time she performs and was recently formally recognized with a Gemini Award for her co-written play (with Blair Packham, David MacKenzie, and Gemini recipient Brigitte Gall) Joan of Montreal.

She's ready to book a studio and record another album but has been procrastinating. I get ready to ask why she hasn't been scooped up by a major label, why she uses so many numbers in her writing and whether these songs are based on her life. Arlene looks up at me from some daydream unaware she has acquired a little foam mustache.

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Other Shows

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Web Links

Blair Packham's site

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