Cathy Arsenault and Kate Adams

We enjoy sharing our songwriting and having fun with imaginative arrangements and harmonies.

We both play vintage Gibson guitars and perform many shows as a duo, but are happy when we are joined by accordionist and vocalist Heather Cameron.

On January 15, 2009, Cuckoo Moon marked a new phase in its lunar cycle when Harbour Folk’s Rose and Kettle concert sessions presented Kate Adams and Cathy Arsenault in concert.

In 1996 the two songwriters began a musical journey that has brought them full circle. After first taking the stage as a twosome, Cathy and Kate were joined early on by vocalist Carrie Harlow and in 1998 by accordion player Heather Holm. This female quartet wrote and arranged most of their music, played many venues and festivals and gained a solid reputation in the Annapolis Valley music scene.

Beginning in 2001 they often enjoyed the support of a solid back up rhythm section when performing at larger venues. Ken Shorley (percussion), Bernie Zinck (guitar), and Kirk Hazel (bass) all lent their musical skills to the recording of Cuckoo Moon’s first album and in 2003 Cuckoo Moon released their recording “Live at Fundy Folk”.

Lifestyle changes brought geographical and time challenges to the group and the quartet played their “swan song” at the Lunenburg Folk Festival in the summer of 2003.

Cathy and Kate continued to host the regular Thursday night open mic at the Union Street Café in Berwick until 2006. In late 2007, after a year of quiet, Cathy and Kate gradually began to accept small gigs and by the summer of 2008 had fallen back in love with performing. They began to take every opportunity to play, accepting offers from farm markets, community picnics, art festivals, fund raisers and folk clubs. They searched out open mic opportunities at folk festivals and attended a week long songwriting workshop with a few of their songwriting heroes. It was, by their account, a summer of music and fun.

January 15th, 2009 came without any fanfare and it was only later the pair realized that they had presented their first concert as a duo since 1996. Vince Morash of Harbour Folk had this to say about the night:

“great show and wonderful audience making it a good night for all…. my goal in creating this (the Rose and Kettle concert sessions) was to provide a place where both performers and audience could be comfortable, a best situation …last night was certainly one of those…”

Cuckoo Moon returns to the folk stage with their unique style, inviting all to come along on the journey.  Kate and Cathy are quirky, funny and engaging, and present their strong songwriting skills with imaginative arrangements and beautiful harmonies.