Cranes

Cranes are a British dream pop band from Portsmouth, England, formed in 1986. The group is fronted by Alison Shaw, and their line-up has included Jim Shaw, Matt Cope, Mark Francombe, Manu Ros, Paul Smith, Jon Callender and Ben Baxter. Their sound is associated with alternative rock, dream pop, ethereal wave, gothic rock and shoegaze.

Early releases and label work

The band releases its first album, Self Non Self, on vinyl in 1989. That record draws strong reviews and attracts the attention of John Peel, leading to a session for his programme soon after release. Cranes then sign to Dedicated, a label that also houses Spiritualized and Beth Orton, and issue the Espero EP in 1990, followed by Wings of Joy the next year.

1990s albums and touring

Wings of Joy brings the band to the attention of Robert Smith of The Cure, who chooses Cranes to support The Cure on their world tour in 1992. They continue with a run of albums through the 1990s: Forever (1993), Loved (1994), La Tragedie d'Oreste et Electre (1995) and Population Four (1997).

Independent releases and later activity

After a four-year break, Cranes return on their own label, Dadaphonic, with Future Songs in 2001 and Particles & Waves in 2004. These releases move in a more electronic direction while keeping the band’s established sound. In 2007 they issue Live at Amsterdam Paradiso, a download-only album recorded in 1991.

Reissues, reunion and later recordings

Cherry Red Records reissues Wings of Joy, Forever and Loved in 2008 as part of a series of influential artists’ re-releases. Later that year Cranes release a self-titled album, also titled Cranes, and tour in support of it. The band remains active, and their original 1990s line-up reforms in 2022. In 2023 they release Peel Sessions 1989-1990, a collection of previously unreleased sessions from the John Peel recordings.