At age eight Arlene was given a guitar and lessons at the Yamaha Guitar School. After the first day, the teacher returned her parents' money saying Arlene was un-teachable because of her short attention span. Maybe this is true, because later she tried to learn "Brian's Song" and ended up writing one of her own. Now, Arlene's stream of consciousness hilarious in-between-dark-song banter is unique and very entertaining.

At 21, Arlene moved from Ottawa to Toronto to follow her boyfriend, musician Roger Rainbow, even though she herself had never seen the city. Six months later Roger died naturally and unexpectedly during the night. The shock of finding him in her bed kept Arlene awake for nearly two years during which time she began seriously writing songs. Arlene's first gig was at a benefit concert to finish her boyfriend's album project. It was then that she learned performing was the best therapy.

Arlene played a weekly residency at Toronto's legendary Cabana Room for three years where she shared the stage with opening acts Ron Sexsmith and the Barenaked Ladies. It was there that she met musician Blair Packham (The Jitters). It was love at first sight and Blair has now produced three CDs for Arlene and they have a child together.

Pinky (1996 EP) features Blair Packham, Janice Powers, Stephen Pitkin (The Flashing Lights), and Colin Linden. You can hear some of the songs on television as well as in the Rob Lowe come-back film (coming back after his videotape scandal) "First Degree".

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