You've probably heard "Tongues and Teeth" or "The Moon Will Sing" and thought, wait, who are these people? It’s a common rabbit hole. The Crane Wives have this specific, haunting indie-folk sound that feels like a secret shared between friends in a basement in Grand Rapids, Michigan. But if you’re looking for the current roster of The Crane Wives members, the answer isn't just a simple list. It’s a story of a band that started as a four-piece, shifted into a trio, and eventually found its footing as a powerhouse of vocal harmonies and percussive storytelling.
The band isn't just "folk." It's more like a three-headed beast of songwriting.
Meet the Core: The Current Crane Wives Members
Right now, if you catch them on tour or check their latest credits, you’re looking at three primary musicians who define the group’s identity. Honestly, it’s the chemistry between these specific individuals that keeps the "folk-rock with a bite" vibe alive.
Emilee Petersmark is one half of the dual-frontwoman powerhouse. She handles guitar and vocals. Her voice has this incredible, raw edge to it—think of it as the grit to the band’s pearl. She’s often the one responsible for those darker, more visceral lyrical turns that make you stop and rethink your entire life at 2 AM.
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Then there is Dan Rickabus. He’s the drummer, but calling him just "the drummer" feels like a massive undersell. He provides backing vocals and acts as a sort of rhythmic heartbeat for the group’s more complex, odd-meter arrangements. He’s been there since the beginning, 2010 to be exact, helping build that foundation.
And of course, Kate Pillsbury. Kate rounds out the trio with guitar and vocals. Her voice is the perfect foil to Emilee’s. It’s melodic, soaring, and carries a lot of the "light" that balances the band's frequent "dark." When they harmonize? That’s the "Crane Wives sound." It’s not just two people singing at the same time; it’s two voices that have spent over a decade learning exactly how to vibrate against each other.
The Missing Piece: Ben Zito and the Transition to a Trio
For a long time, the lineup was different. You can't talk about The Crane Wives members without mentioning Ben Zito. He was the bassist for years, a staple of their live shows and a huge part of their recorded discography, including the fan-favorite albums Coyote Stories and Foxlore.
In early 2023, the band announced that Ben was stepping away. It was a big deal. Fans were worried. How do you replace a guy who has been there for nearly the whole ride?
The reality is, they didn't really "replace" him in the traditional sense. They pivoted. While they often bring in touring musicians to fill out the sound—like the talented Justin Avdek who has stepped in on bass for live performances—the core creative unit is now the trio of Emilee, Kate, and Dan. They’ve embraced this smaller, leaner version of themselves. It forced them to get more creative with their arrangements. It made the harmonies even more central to the experience.
Why the Lineup Matters for the Sound
Music is collaborative. Obviously. But with this band, the member structure is the reason they don't sound like every other Mumford & Sons clone that popped up in the 2010s.
Most folk bands have one leader. The Crane Wives have two.
Kate and Emilee both write. They both lead. This creates a "dialogue" within their albums. One song might feel like Kate’s perspective, the next Emilee’s, and the third is a collision of both. This dual-songwriter dynamic is rare. It prevents the music from feeling stagnant because there are always two distinct creative wells to draw from.
And Dan? He’s the glue. His drumming isn't just keeping time; it’s melodic. Because he sings too, he understands how to play around the vocals rather than just under them.
The Grand Rapids Connection
The band formed in 2010 at Grand Rapids Community College. That’s a long time to stay together. Most indie bands burn out after three years and an EP. The fact that the core members have remained largely consistent for 14+ years says something about their professional resilience. They aren't just coworkers. They are survivors of the indie music grind.
They actually started as a bit of a joke/experiment between Kate and Emilee, who were friends first. They added Dan and Ben later. That "friendship first" energy is palpable in their live sets. If you watch them on stage, there’s a lot of nodding, smiling, and weird inside jokes that the audience only halfway understands. It makes the performance feel less like a product and more like a hangout.
How to Keep Up With the Band Today
If you’re trying to follow The Crane Wives members now, social media is your best bet, but specifically their Instagram and Patreon. They are incredibly transparent about their process.
- Follow the individual projects. Both Emilee and Kate occasionally do solo work or collaborations, which gives you a deeper look into their specific writing styles.
- Watch the live videos. Seeing how they adapt their older, four-piece songs into their current trio (plus touring bass) format is a masterclass in musical arrangement.
- Listen to "Beyond the Barricade." Their more recent work highlights their evolution. You can hear the space where the bass used to be, and how they’ve filled it with more intricate guitar work and vocal layering.
Practical Steps for New Fans
Don't just stick to the Spotify "This Is" playlist. To really understand what these musicians bring to the table, you have to dig into the deep cuts.
- Check out the album "Foxlore." It’s arguably their masterpiece and features the full classic lineup at their peak.
- Look for live acoustic sessions on YouTube. This is where the vocal talent of the members shines without the distraction of a full kit or loud amps.
- Support them on Patreon. Like many independent artists in 2026, they rely on direct fan support to keep touring.
The Crane Wives aren't just a band; they are a testament to the idea that you can change, lose members, and shift your sound without losing your soul. They are still that group of friends from Michigan, just a little wiser and a lot more harmonically complex. If you’re looking for music that feels human, start here.
Keep an eye on their tour dates. Seeing them live is the only way to truly appreciate how three people can make that much noise. They aren't going anywhere, and the current lineup is arguably the most focused they've ever been.
Check their official website for the latest merch and tour updates—supporting indie creators directly is the best way to ensure they keep making the music you love.
Actionable Insight: If you're a musician yourself, study their vocal arrangements. The way Kate and Emilee use "call and response" and close-knit harmonies is a perfect example of how to use the human voice as an instrument rather than just a way to deliver lyrics. Start by listening to "Safe Ship, Harbored" and try to pick apart the three distinct vocal lines. It's harder than it looks.