
Celebrity Etc presents & WCBE welcomes
Lee Emiof The Crane Wivesw/ Cal in Red
Fri, 6 Nov, 7:00 PM EST
Doors open
6:00 PM EST
Skully's Music Diner
1151 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43201
Event Information
Age Limit
All Ages

Indie Pop
Lee Emi
Lee Emi
Indie Pop
Born in South Korea and raised in Michigan, singer-songwriter Lee Emi has performed her music for audiences across the country and overseas, using those experiences to add grit to her dark, thematic songwriting. Her indie-pop-rock music bears sharp teeth, leaning into the rawness of anger, grief, and self-doubt, weaving powerful melodies around potent lyrics that ask all of us: am I good enough?
Originally named Lee Sang-Eun and raised under the name Emilee Petersmark, Lee Emi began her career in 2010 as a primary songwriter and co-lead singer/guitarist in beloved West Michigan indie band, The Crane Wives. For the next 15 years, she would play bars, listening rooms, theatres, and concert venues across the continental US and release 5 studio records with the Crane Wives, all while quietly building a personal cache of songs that would eventually become her first solo record, DESTROY EVERYTHING, to be released in October 2026.

Americana
The Crane Wives
The Crane Wives
Americana
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 LA), while their harmony-dense melodies support deeply resonant lyrics, exploring the vulnerable and the ugly sides of the human condition. The band has amassed over 1.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, racking up over 150 million streams on their most popular songs and accumulating listenership from far-flung corners of the US to the UK, Australia, Germany, Brazil, Poland, Mexico, and the Philippines.
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 Sept 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.

Alternative
Cal in Red
Cal in Red
Alternative
Cal in Red is an indie-pop outfit that originated in 2019. Brothers Connor and Kendall Wright (Grand Rapids, MI) shared an affinity for vibrant synths, fuzzy guitars and both had a keen ear for melody. This musical camaraderie has led to the release of two EP's and over 90 live shows across the country, including opening slots for Bastille and The Crane Wives.
On August 30th, 2024 Cal in Red released their debut LP titled “Low Low” with B3SCI Records. At heart, these songs are melodic vignettes that feel as though they’ve been put through a dream-glow filter.
On October 3rd, 2025 the brothers will independently release their 3rd EP titled “The Days,” a subsequent release tour will follow.