The Crane Wives hit the Jammies this Tuesday

I have known The Crane Wives for quite a while now and have been friends with them for the majority of that time. So when I offered to write about them for the coverage of the Tuesdays Jammies, at which they are nominated for six awards, I thought it would be easy. And I was wrong.

Described as an indie folk outfit that brings three part harmonies and eclectic instrumentaion to the scene with a passion for creating organic, passionate songs, The Crane Wives is comprised of five members: Kate Pillsbury and Emilee Petersmark on acoustic guitar and vocals, Dan Rickabus on drums and vocals, Ben Zito on the bass and Tom Gunnels on banjo.

There are so many things you can talk about with this amazing group of people. You can start with the pure talent that each individual member brings to the band. You cannot find a weak link in this band. Many people are quick to mention the harmonies that this band is able to use to turn heads in a loud bar and demand attention from anyone within earshot. When Pillsbury and Petersmark start to sing together, you can't help but stop mid-sentence and listen, because you don't want to miss a moment of the aural beauty you are hearing.

The drive in the band is something that sets them apart as well. “I've played with a lot of hard working creative folks, but in this group, we've developed this great understanding that all five of us are going to put every ounce of ourselves into this art," said Rickabus. "We have a lot of trust in each other, and there's so much positive energy.”

Positive energy is correct. As anyone who has seen the band can attest, once they begin playing you are tapping your toes and a smile comes across your face. Many people are even driven to fits of dancing that will not stop until well after the music is over. For example, this weekend they played in front of a crowd of a few hundred in the cold below freezing outdoors at the Traverse City Microbrew and Music festival and though the temperatures were low it did not stop the band from infecting the entire crowd with a joy that can only come from something as pure as music.

Though they travel almost every weekend they know where the best place for them to play music is and that is home, here in Grand Rapids. When they started the set at The Intersection you could see the happiness they had to be playing in front of a hometown crowd. “Hello everybody, we are The Crane Wives” Rickabus said, “And we are from here.” A huge smile crept across the band's faces as the crowd cheered louder.

“GR is incredible. Without the support of many other local acts, we would have never made it this far," explained Petersmark. "We’ve had seasoned musicians helping us out every step of the way. On top of that, music lovers out this way are incredible with their support—it’s like the people in West Michigan actually care about having local music succeed, and that in itself is refreshing.”

Pillsbury added, ”This city is a cultural hub. It is set up in a way that helps artists grow and thrive, you can make a name for yourself here. Other cities you have to have a name already for people to listen, but in Grand Rapids you can grow.”

They are not done growing and learning and though this year has been wild and amazing for them they have goals they want to achieve as they move forward. Petersmark would like to open for the Decemberists and Pillsbury shares her dream of having an NPR Tiny Desk Concert. If they keep going, the sky is the limit.

"This past year could be better described as diving off of a hundred diving boards, not knowing how deep the water is in any of the pools below them. We took a lot of chances and dove head first every time we stepped to the edge," said Rickabus. "The crazy thing about it is, every jump in 2011 has lead to the most beautiful, exciting swim we could ever dream of. I want to stress the importance of the community again though: it's easy to jump when you have so many great people around you saying ‘Come on in, the water is fine!’”

The water is fine. And I hope they keep jumping.