Formed in Portsmouth on the south coast of England, Cranes became one of the major trance-pop/shoegaze groups of the early 90's, releasing several popular albums characterised by the combination of ethereal vocals and melodies, with loud droning guitars.

Following a break, the band re-emerged in 2001 with their own label www.dadaphonic.com . They released a series of three albums containing a more electronic, sparsely arranged sound, which still retain their core characteristics. Many songs from these later albums have appeared in films and TV dramas, such as Californication 2011 and adverts for Audi and Guerlain among others. Cranes are published by Mute Song.

The blend of pretty melodies, other worldly atmospheres and twinkling electronica dovetails nicely with today’s ‘folktronica’ scene…the one chord ‘Worlds’, the French sung ’Panorama’ and ‘Wonderful Things’, with its circular acoustic guitar pattern are hauntingly lovely…(Q Magazine reviewing “Cranes” album)

Cranes' last two albums signified a musical shift by extending their interest in glimmering electronic melodies and more gently contemplative song structures, eschewing the distortion-driven dissonance and upfront drumbeats of past recordings. On tracks such as "Feathers" and "Wires", the guitar work remains delicate in tone and slides with casual grace into the lovely pulse of the keyboard motif, creating a mysterious swirl of stripped-down beauty. (Pitchfork Media)

Their immersion in electronic soundscapes works beautifully with Shaw’s otherworldly melodies… On the truly lovely ‘Feathers’ the results are stunning. (Rocksound)