The Crane Wives, Arny Margret

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Hwa Jeen Na

The members of The Crane Wives.

The Crane Wives

While The Crane Wives is not a Decemberists cover band, it is true the four-piece took their name from the Portland band’s 2006 album The Crane Wife, and the offbeat indie folk the band produces is Decemberists-adjacent. Founders and vocalists Emilee Petersmark and Kate Pillsbury offer a female perspective in their gently offbeat tales, sung to vibrant strummy instrumentation. They’re touring in support of their recently released seventh studio album, Beyond Beyond Beyond. The delicate Arny Margret (of Iceland, but dismiss any thought of Bjorkian antics — she skews more Gracie Abrams) opens.

media release: Grand Rapids, MI-based indie rock band The Crane Wives (1.4m Spotify monthly listeners, 713.5k TikTok likes) are ready to charm live audiences once again, heading back out on the road this spring in support of their highly acclaimed new album Beyond Beyond Beyond, out everywhere now. Due to overwhelming demand, the band has also announced a new string of dates taking place through July, and will be making stops in major cities like Nashville, Chicago, Brooklyn, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and beyond. Tour dates and tickets for all shows are available here, with public on sale beginning at 10AM Local Time on March 14, 2025.  

Listen / Share: Beyond Beyond Beyond LP

  Born of the 2010’s folk boom and now comfortably stationed in their rock and roll era, The Crane Wives epitomize the evolving landscape of indie folk. Their high-energy performances have been described as “charged with emotion and technical skill” (Blurred Culture), while their harmony-dense melodies support deeply resonant lyrics, exploring the vulnerable and the ugly sides of the human condition. The band has built a global community and has amassed over 1m Spotify monthly listeners and 100m total streams with their unparalleled, spirited live show, evocative lyricism and glimmering harmonies.  

Featured by Michigan Radio and NPR’s “All Songs Considered," the band recently released their sixth full-length studio record, Beyond Beyond Beyond, to high praise, with Glasse Factory calling the album “a testament to the band’s ability to turn personal struggles into universally

relatable anthems." Niner Times describes the new release as “angsty, haunting and gritty,” praising its departure from the more traditional folk sound of The Crane Wives’ previous records. Since its release in September 2024, Beyond Beyond Beyond has accrued over 7 million streams on Spotify.  

The pulse of The Crane Wives is delivered by Ben Zito (bass) and Dan Rickabus (drums), creating a driving, dynamic backdrop while co-leads Emilee Petersmark and Kate Pillsbury establish expansive and gritty conversations between their electric guitars. A web of three-part harmony helps to soften the blow of their emotional candor, like a 21st century Cerberus, the hound of Hades reimagined as an emotional support animal.  

The Crane Wives have 6 full-length albums under their belts and have performed over 600 shows across the US, sharing stages with acts such as The Avett Brothers, Lake Street Dive, Rusted Root, The Dead South, Joseph, and many more.  

"The Crane Wives charmed us again with its harmony-laced folk-rock…

polished sound and dynamic energy…proves just how much fun the band is having with its music.” - NPR  

 "The Crane Wives are a four-piece band that have an uncanny ability  at crafting goose-bump inducing three-part harmonies.” - No Depression  

"They’re an impeccable band with incredibly tight instrumentation and harmonies that,  paired with an inclination for catchy hooks and scintillating lyricism,  make a strong case for their burgeoning popularity.” - For Folk’s Sake  

"They're reshaping the indie folk landscape  with unforgettable performances and passionately crafted music." - Blurred Culture