The Crane Wives are a four-piece indie band from Grand Rapids, Michigan, formed in 2010. The band consists of Emilee Petersmark, Kate Pillsbury, Dan Rickabus, and Ben Zito. They are known for their eclectic sound, which blends indie rock, Americana, and folk elements, often incorporating three-part vocal harmonies and dynamic instrumentation.
The band’s origins began when Petersmark and Pillsbury, who met while working at a Chinese restaurant, started performing as an acoustic duo. They later joined forces with Rickabus and Zito to form The Crane Wives. Their name is inspired by The Decemberists’ album “The Crane Wife,” which itself is based on the Japanese folk tale Tsuru Nyōbō.
Over the years, The Crane Wives have released several albums and have gained recognition for their energetic live performances and thought-provoking lyrics, which often explore themes of human emotion and mythology. They have performed hundreds of shows across the U.S. and have shared stages with notable acts like The Avett Brothers and Lake Street Dive