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The Crane Wives
From left: Kate Pillsbury, Dan Rickabus, Ben Zito and Emilee Petersmark
Background information
Origin	Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Genres	Indie rock, Americana, folk
Years active	2010–present
Labels	Unsigned
Members	Emilee Petersmark Kate Pillsbury Dan Rickabus Ben Zito Tom Gunnels (formerly)
Website	thecranewives.com

The Crane Wives is a four-piece indie band founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States in 2010. They utilize three-part vocal harmonies and eclectic instrumentation.

Career

Early history

Emilee Petersmark (guitar/vocals) and Kate Pillsbury (guitar/vocals) were aspiring solo artists working at a Chinese restaurant in Grandville, Michigan. In an attempt to avoid waiting tables, they began performing weekends in the restaurant as The Crane Wives, named after the album "The Crane Wife" by The Decemberists, itself based on the Japanese folk tale Tsuru Nyōbō (鶴女房, lit. "Crane Wife").

Formation and Safe Ship, Harbored (2010–2011)

Petersmark and Pillsbury, both students at Grand Valley State University, joined fellow students Dan Rickabus (percussion/vocals) and Tom Gunnel (banjo) for practice sessions in August 2010. The band played a few shows around Grand Rapids, and soon after, friend and fellow Grand Valley student Ben Zito (who ran sound for the band a few times) joined as the band's bass player.

The band's upbeat sound, folk influence, and use of three-part harmony set them apart in the indie rock-dominated Grand Rapids music scene. The members claim a wide variety of influences: folk, blues, ska, punk, and heavy metal.

The Crane Wives self-produced their first full-length CD, Safe Ship Harbored, in May 2011. The album was funded through Kickstarter and produced at Sound Post Studios, where Rickabus worked as a sound engineer.

In June 2011, the band received a degree of national attention when The Decemberists lead singer Colin Meloy saw their album Safe Ship, Harbored at NPR during an interview and had his picture taken with it. In response to the photo, fans and other local artists posted photos to Facebook mimicking Meloy's pose (profile, with the album touching their noses), creating a flood of support. The band had previously attempted to open for The Decemberists at a show at Calvin College, but were unable to secure the spot.

Paste Magazine listed the band among "12 Michigan Acts You Should Listen to Now", and they received the "Local Spin of the Year" from Grand Rapids Press. At WYCE's 2012 "Jammies" award ceremony for West Michigan musicians, the band won WYCE's Album of the Year for Safe Ship Harbored.

The Fool in Her Wedding Gown and Touring (2012–2014)

In 2012, the Crane Wives played music festivals, and toured Michigan and surrounding states in 2013. Their second album, The Fool in Her Wedding Gown, was released September 22, 2012, at The Intersection, a nightclub in Grand Rapids.

The band was in talks with several managers and booking agents but did not sign any deals.

Coyote Stories and Foxlore (2015–2023)

On August 29, 2015, the band released their album Coyote Stories at Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids. Coyote Stories was recorded as part of a two album project, in which the band recorded two albums worth of material in March and April 2015.

The second album from this project, Foxlore was released April 2, 2016. The albums progress from the previous two albums with the addition of electric guitar and jazz influences. The two albums also feature long-time collaborators in the Michigan music community.

Banjo player Tom Gunnels left the band in 2015. Percussionist Dan Rickabus told Local Spins that the group would continue as a four-piece set.

Beyond Beyond Beyond (2024–Present)

On June 4, 2024, the band announced that Beyond Beyond Beyond, their fifth major studio album, would release on September 6, 2024. The same day, they released the album's first single, "Arcturus Beaming". A second single, "Bitter Medicine", released on July 10, 2024. On August 8, 2024, an additional third single, “Scars” was released.

The album was released on September 6, with a sold-out release party at The Intersection in Grand Rapids, featuring openers Cal in Red and Patty Pershayla, both of whom originate from Grand Rapids.

Band members

Current members

• Emilee Petersmark (guitar/vocals)
• Kate Pillsbury (guitar/vocals)
• Dan Rickabus (drums/vocals)
• Ben Zito (bass)

Former members

• Tom Gunnels (banjo) (2010–2015)

Discography

Studio

Live albums

Singles

Awards

References

1. ^ "The Crane Wives Shoot for National Recognition". The Daily. September 3, 2015. WMUK. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
2. ^ Nicole Sanguin, 'THE UPBEAT: The Crane Wives', The Oakland Press, June 22, 2011. Retrieved 2012-05-08.
4. Troy Reimink (2011-06-14). "Is Decemberists leader Colin Meloy a fan of Grand Rapids' the Crane Wives?". MLive.com. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
5. Published at 8:24 AM on February 28, 2012 By Tyler Kane (2012-02-28). "12 Michigan Acts You Should Listen to Now :: Blogs :: List of the Day :: Paste". Pastemagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2013-10-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
6. ^ Press Photo / Adam Bird (2 January 2012). "Saluting West Michigan's Local Spins of the Year: top-shelf albums by the The Crane Wives and The Fuzzrites (videos)". MLive.com. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
7. Tod Chance, 'The Crane Wives: Big winners at The WYCE 2012 Jammies', MLive (Grand Rapids), February 15, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-08.
8. "Grand Rapids' 2012 Jammie Awards: The Crane Wives have a night to remember ... and so do the rest of West Michigan's best bands « Spins on Music Spins on Music". Localspins.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
9. Christian VanAntwerpen says (23 September 2012). "The Crane Wives soar at Grand Rapids CD-release show « Spins on Music Spins on Music". Localspins.com. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
10. The Crane Wives says (2012-10-05). "Resurgence". thecranewives.com. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
11. "Tom Gunnels departs the Crane Wives". 3 January 2015.
12. Sinkevics, John (2024-09-06). "The Crane Wives' 'wild journey,' special chemistry produce brave new rock album". Local Spins. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
13. Record-Eagle, John Sinkevics Special to the (2024-09-13). "Michigan's Crane Wives revel in 'wild journey' that ignites new rock album". Traverse City Record-Eagle. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
14. "Safe Ship, Harbored, by The Crane Wives". The Crane Wives. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
15. "The Fool in Her Wedding Gown, by The Crane Wives". Bandcamp. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
16. "A Very Crane Wives Christmas, by The Crane Wives". Bandcamp. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
17. "Coyote Stories, by The Crane Wives". Bandcamp. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
18. "A Very, Very Crane Wives Christmas, by The Crane Wives". Bandcamp. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
19. "Foxlore, by The Crane Wives". The Crane Wives. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
20. "Here I Am, by The Crane Wives". Bandcamp. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
21. ^ "Jammies XIII". wyce.org. 88.1FM WYCE. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
22. ^ "Jammies XIV". wyce.org. 88.1FM WYCE. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
23. "ArtPrize 2012 Spotlight – The Crane Wives [Video]". 100.5 The River. 100.5 WTRV. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 2015-12-04.

External links

• Official website
• Reverbnation

• Indie pop groups from Michigan
• Musical groups established in 2010
• American musical quartets
• American indie folk groups
• 2010 establishments in Michigan
• Musical groups from Michigan
• Musical groups from Grand Rapids, Michigan