Arlene Bishop profile picture

Arlene Bishop

C'est What Saturday June 21. Show starts at 10pm.

About Me

Performing Songwriter Magazine:"Arlene Bishop proves herself a formidable talent, totally capable of rising to the standard of Robbie Robertson, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell."
Ron Sexsmith: "She's a peach in a field of ethereal onions."

Arlene is a compelling performer with between-song-banter that has taken on a much larger role than the typical “this next song is about…”. Her funny and dark monologues between songs are the result of letting loose an obsessively busy and creative mind. Check out the blog to read more.

Over the past 18 months Arlene has stuck close to home writing new songs for her upcoming CD. Followers will agree that her newest experiment in album production is a natural step in a series of interesting experiments. Starting with her first artist performance residency, Arlene has challenged her role as artist performing solo and with a band and creating a new show every time. At Toronto’s legendary Cabana Room Arlene’s weekly show featured emerging artists like Ron Sexsmith and the Barenaked Ladies and resulted in the EP "Pinky". After a series of short small venue concerts (54:40 and Burton Cummings among the headliners), and a year-long residency at Toronto’s other legendary venue The Cameron House, she and Blair Packham (The Jitters) produced a second CD, with the press-review inspired title “Snarky Girlpop” (from which 98 Points found it's way to the film New Waterford Girl). Following more concerts with icons Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies) and Dar Williams, Arlene challenged herself to write a new song every week at a summer-long coffee house residency and created “Cut a Man’s Heart Out”. Arlene will be posting songs from the upcoming album in March '08 for your reviews.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 1/18/2006
Band Website: arlenebishop.com
Band Members: Arlene Bishop - guitar and vocals at various times along with: Blair Packham, Terrence Gowan, Derek Downham, Maury Lafoy, Gary Craig, Craig Northey, Kurt Swinghammer, Chris Gartner, Mark Mariash, Steve Pitkin, Janis Powers, Colin Linden, Pat Steward, Glenn Martin, Mike Pellerin, Jeff Macpherson, Paul Reddick, Mia Sheard, Tory Cassis, Tamara Williamson, Lori Cullen, Monique Barry, Debbie Lillico, Kevin Fox, Graham Powell, Vic Darcy, Simon Kendall, Bob Kemmis, David Matheson, and Paul Myers.
Influences:

Sounds Like: The Beatles had a baby with Lucinda Williams; the Stones are the god parents; Paul Simon and Elton John were present at the birth; Edith Piaf was playing on the Muzac; Britney Spears hadn't been invented; Tina Turner was the midwife; and Ray Charles sent a lovely note that read "Bless this Mess" and blew a kiss from the stage.

Cut a Man's Heart Out CD and MP3s from CDBaby
1 Metaphor For Your Life
2 Cut A Man's Heart Out (Angel Mix)
3 Invisible Woman
4 Ruin Me
5 One Shoe
6 Arctic Wolf
7 (You Can't) Bend the River
8 Insomniac
9 Half Plus Half More
10 Au Revoir, Superstar
11 In Context
12 Cut A Man's Heart Out (Devil Mix)

Snarky Girlpop CD and MP3s from CDBaby
1 Nv
2 98 Points
3 (i'm A) Hurricane
4 Bow Before Your Love
5 Six Little Angels
6 Eleven Seconds
7 Eddie Standing Ready 8 My Way of Saying Goodbye
9 Sympathy
10 Irresponsible Thing
11 Human Being

Pinky CD and MP3s from CDBaby
1 Spin Another One
2 Cherry Moon
3 Small Girlish Hands
4 I Can't Stand It
5 Black Cat
6 Rabbit

Record Label: The Twelve Steves/Blare! Music Inc
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

If you were on my mailing list this is what you’d get-

Hi chums,Saturday June 21 I'll be hosting a show at an old favorite haunt, C'est What (67 Front Street East, at Church Street) with Scott Dibble (and guest Kat Goldman). To close the night we're invit...
Posted by Arlene Bishop on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:23:00 PST

I love to sing

and that is the thingthat saves mefrom the ring(of slavery?!ha! poetryand it seems)the streammakeswavesseambringing peaceand piecesinto belongingonce finished the songingit's bringing the singingthat ...
Posted by Arlene Bishop on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:17:00 PST

Where I am at

is where I asked to goI asked "show me"and I started to dreamasleep then awakeand as much as I want to retreatI am deep in the heart of itthere is no going backthere is only getting to the other side ...
Posted by Arlene Bishop on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:02:00 PST

I am a Survivor

It hurts to learn I've put so much energy into denial. What a waste. All those years of living my own 'story' not only gave me no real history but robbed me of myself. What am I saying? I am confused ...
Posted by Arlene Bishop on Wed, 07 May 2008 04:55:00 PST

Ghost Story and Consciousness

Mark commented that he thought my ghost story to be a metaphor. So, not a real ghost, eh? My initial reaction was disagreement and then I gave it some quiet thought. Actually, I think Mark may be righ...
Posted by Arlene Bishop on Sun, 27 Apr 2008 06:37:00 PST

Ghost Story

When we bought our house almost three years ago we had strict criteria: it had to be located in a 'good' school district and it had to be affordable. Well, we met our criteria by essentially finding a...
Posted by Arlene Bishop on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:22:00 PST

Special Guests on Friday!

I'm looking forward to my show this coming Friday at the Free Times Cafe. Not only will the show be opened by Scott Dibble (a fabulous songwriter, singer and guitarist, Scott is also running the board...
Posted by Arlene Bishop on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:23:00 PST

It’s All Good

It's funny how so many things are an 'I've got good news and bad news' kinda situation. Of course the Buddhists say there is only 'news' and so here is mine. I am quite successfully experiencing anxie...
Posted by Arlene Bishop on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:23:00 PST

i am

felicenüchternenfinaprendizagemper per esseresolamentetendremach’s gutespiritualvraibeing
Posted by Arlene Bishop on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:22:00 PST

An Angry Dream

I dreamed I was accused of stealing a teapot and my beautiful $5 purchase was taken from me. The boss lady held me by the wrist and dragged me through the store. I found my receipt in my back pocket. ...
Posted by Arlene Bishop on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:36:00 PST