The Crane Wives

The Crane Wives is a four-piece Americana/folk band founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States in 2010. They refer to themselves as a "home grown indie-folk outfit from Grand Rapids, Michigan that defies musical stereotypes." They utilize three-part vocal harmonies, eclectic instrumentation, and a passion for songcraft to create organic music that is both accessible and innovative.

The Crane Wives
The Crane Wives in Winter 15. Pictured from left to right: Dan, Kate, Ben, and Emilee
Background information
OriginGrand Rapids, Michigan, United States
GenresIndie folk, Americana, folk
Years active2010–present
LabelsUnsigned
Associated actsFlorence & the Machine
Websitethecranewives.com
MembersEmilee Petersmark
Kate Pillsbury
Dan Rickabus
Ben Zito
A shot of the band from summer 2015. Pictured from left to right Ben, Emilee, Kate, and Dan. Photo by Leah Renee Photography

Career

Early history

Emilee Petersmark (guitar/vocals) and Kate Pillsbury (guitar/vocals) were aspiring solo artists who were working in a Chinese restaurant in Grandville, Michigan. In an attempt to avoid waiting tables, they began performing weekends in the restaurant under the name The Crane Wives but were not well received.

The addition of Dan Rickabus (percussion/vocals), Ben Zito (bass), and Tom Gunnels (banjo) in late 2010 expanded upon the duo, but the name remained the same.

Formation and Safe Ship, Harbored (2010–2011)

Petersmark and Pillsbury, both students at Allendale's Grand Valley State University, joined fellow students Gunnels and Rickabus for the practice sessions in August 2010.[1] The band played a few shows around Grand Rapids, and soon after, friend and fellow GVSU student Ben Zito (who ran sound for the band a few times) joined as the band's bass player, completing the sound.[2]

The upbeat sound, folk influence, and use of three-part harmony set the band apart in the indie rock-dominated Grand Rapids music scene. While the band's moniker came in part from The Decemberists' 2006 album, The Crane Wife, the members claim a wide variety of influences: folk, blues, ska, punk, and even heavy metal.[1]

The Crane Wives released their first full-length CD, Safe Ship Harbored, in May 2011. The album was self-produced, backed primarily through donation of studio time from Sound Post Studios, where Rickabus worked as a sound engineer, and also a generous response to the band's Kickstarter campaign.

In June 2011, the band received a degree of national attention when Colin Meloy, lead singer of the Decemberists, saw their album at NPR during an interview and had his picture taken with it. In response to the photo, fans and other local artists mimicked Meloy's pose (profile, with Safe Ship, Harbored touching their noses) and posted their photos to Facebook, creating a flood of support for the band. (A month prior, they had tried to book an opening performance for The Decemberists at Calvin College, but were unable to secure the spot.)[3]

The band received attention and recognition in 2012, garnering several local awards. Paste Magazine listed them among their "12 Michigan Acts You Should Listen to Now".[4] They were also recipients of the "Local Spin of the Year" from Grand Rapids Press.[5] They also took three awards at WYCE's "Jammies", a local award ceremony for prominent West Michigan musicians. Awards received were Album of the Year (Safe Ship, Harbored), Song of the Year (Safe Ship, Harbored), and the Listener's Choice Award.[6][7]

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.[8]

The band was in talks with several managers and booking agents but did not sign any deals.[9]

Coyote Stories and Foxlore (2015–Present)

On August 29, 2015, the band released their latest album Coyote Stories at Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, MI. Coyote Stories was recorded as part of a two album project, in which The Crane Wives recorded two albums worth of material in March and April 2015. The second album, Foxlore was released April 2, 2016. The albums feature a progression from the previous two albums with the addition of electric guitar and other various instrumentation. The two albums also feature long-time collaborators in the Michigan music community, including: Seth Bernard, Steve Leaf (Steve Leaf and the Ex Pats, Public Access), Savanna Buist (The Accidentals), Katie Larson (The Accidentals), Justin Dore (Big Dudee Roo), Rachel Gorman (The Red Sea Pedestrians)

In a Facebook post by Dan on February 3, 2015 news came of Tom's departure.

Hello friends, fans, this is Dan writing to you. I come bearing sad news. After over 4 years in The Crane Wives, our friend and banjo-player Tom Gunnels will no longer be with the band.

In an article on LocalSpins, it was said that The Crane Wives continue as a four-piece set.[10]

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

Brand endorsements

Discography

Studio
  • Safe Ship, Harbored (2011)
  • The Fool in Her Wedding Gown (2012)
  • Coyote Stories (2015)
  • Foxlore (2016)

Live
  • Live from River City Studios (3 Song EP, download only)
  • Here I Am: Live from the Listening Room (2020)

Live songs

The band commonly plays cover songs of influential artists.

Awards
Year Nominated work Organization Award Result
2011 "Safe Ship, Harbored" WYCE Jammies Album of the Year[11] Won
"Safe Ship, Harbored" WYCE Jammies Song of the Year[11] Won
"Safe Ship, Harbored" WYCE Jammies Listen Choice Album of the Year[11] Won
"Safe Ship, Harbored" WYCE Jammies Special Jury Prize[11] Won
"Safe Ship, Harbored" Grand Rapids Press Local Spin of the Year[5] Won
2012
"The Fool in Her Wedding Gown" WYCE Jammies Best Rock/Pop Album[12] Won
"The Fool in Her Wedding Gown" WYCE Jammies Listener Choice Album[12] Won
"Easier" ArtPrize Folk/Country Music Song[13] Won

References
  1. Nicole Sanguin, 'THE UPBEAT: The Crane Wives', The Oakland Press, June 22, 2011. Retrieved 2012-05-08.
  3. Troy Reimink (2011-06-14). "Is Decemberists leader Colin Meloy a fan of Grand Rapids' the Crane Wives?". MLive.com. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
  4. 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. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
  5. Press Photo / Adam Bird. "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.
  6. Tod Chance, 'The Crane Wives: Big winners at The WYCE 2012 Jammies', MLive (Grand Rapids), February 15, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-08.
  7. "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. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
  8. Christian VanAntwerpen says. "The Crane Wives soar at Grand Rapids CD-release show « Spins on Music Spins on Music". Localspins.com. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
  9. The Crane Wives says (2012-10-05). "Resurgence". thecranewives.com. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  10. http://localspins.com/tom-gunnels-departs-crane-wives-band-continue-four-piece-recording-new-album/
  11. "Jammies XIII". wyce.org. 88.1FM WYCE. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  12. "Jammies XIV". wyce.org. 88.1FM WYCE. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  13. "ArtPrize 2012 Spotlight – The Crane Wives [Video]". 100.5 The River. 100.5 WTRV. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
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