An alt-folk four piece from the city of Leeds in northern England, Crake write melodic and (sometimes) hopeful songs about flora, fauna, anxiety and the tough stuff. Formed on the cusp of 2016/17 after a New Year’s Eve pact, Crake spent their first couple of years playing locally with loose-line-up changes and self-releasing two EPs.

Led by enigmatic songwriter Rowan Sandle, Crake is driven by her endless curiosity. Armed with her gently cracking vocal, and inspiration from writers like Shirley Jackson and Nan Shepherd, she sings of crinoids, slime mould and pussy willow.

An opportunity to open for Big Thief’s Buck Meek in their hometown led to the band impressing the guitarist so much that he invited them along for Big Thief’s forthcoming tour across the UK and Europe. Those three weeks spent travelling and playing with their musical heroes saw Crake go from a small, beloved act who’d barely left their hometown, to finding themselves with a legitimate fanbase of their own.

Their third 3-track EP Dear Natalie soon followed, courtesy of Saddle Creek. In 2022, they joined us at Fika Recordings for the release of their debut full length album, Humans’ Worst Habits.

Press for Crake

“A pensive, dejected moment of magic, but magic nonetheless” Gold Flake Paint

"Charming and intimate alt-folk” Dork

"The guitars sizzle like lightning bolts striking against an otherwise clear sky, while Sandle’s distinct, hoarse vocal plays like another instrument” Secret Meeting

"In a world of cynics, [Crake] make you believe anything might still be possible” For The Rabbits

“A perfectly-timed warm blanket to block out the cold world and insulate the love”, Beats Per Minute