Crane Wives frontwoman launches solo album tour

Emilee Petersmark, the lead vocalist of The Crane Wives, has stepped away from her primary band to focus on her solo project, Lee Emi. She is currently preparing to tour in support of her debut album, “Destroy Everything,” which was released earlier in October. The album addresses personal themes such as identity, isolation, and health issues that Petersmark felt did not fit within the musical framework of The Crane Wives.

The Crane Wives took a hiatus in 2019 after years of rigorous touring. During that break, Petersmark was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease and found herself isolated during the pandemic. Bassist and manager Ben Zito offered his studio space for recording sessions, allowing Petersmark to complete the solo record over a period of roughly ten years. The band is currently on a winter break, providing the timing for the solo launch.

Petersmark adopted the name Lee Emi to reclaim her Korean identity. Born in Seoul and adopted at a young age, she took nearly 40 years to embrace her birth surname. In Korean culture, the family name comes first, so she placed Lee before her given name, Emi. This distinction separates the solo work from The Crane Wives, where the music is created as a collective effort among four members.

The East Coast tour begins on November 6 in Columbus, Ohio. Petersmark will perform at Thunderbird Music Hall in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh on November 7. The band Cal in Red will open the show and serve as the backing ensemble for Lee Emi. The run concludes on November 22 in Chicago. Petersmark noted that she prefers playing in intimate venues, describing the energy of smaller rooms as distinct from the large venues where The Crane Wives typically perform.

The album features a strong visual component, accompanied by an art book of illustrations created during her period of isolation. Petersmark used visual art to process emotions that music alone could not resolve. She is already working on a second album, accumulating new material while on the road. The new songs reflect collaborations with a different set of musicians, a change she described as refreshing after nearly 17 years with The Crane Wives.

Petersmark spoke about the title track, “Destroy Everything,” as a concept about making space for new growth by clearing out the old. She compared the process to a forest fire clearing old growth to allow healthier trees to exist. The song reflects a cathartic desire to discard what is no longer satisfying. She hopes the record resonates with listeners who feel stuck or are navigating complex questions of identity and heritage.