The Mammals are folksingers Ruth Ungar, Mike Merenda, and a cohort of compelling collaborators who form a touring quintet on the fiddle, banjo, guitar, organ, bass, and drums. Over the past 20 years they have quietly composed a canon of original songs (“some of the best songwriting of their generation.” -LA Times) that both reflect our culture and offer a vision of how the world might yet be. “These days we sing about what we’re for over what we’re against,” says songwriter, Mike Merenda, and what they’re for is “nothing short of sublime” according to Americana UK who dubbed the band “one of New York State’s finest treasures.”
A rough and tumble decade in the 00’s forged The Mammals identity as “subversive acoustic traditionalists” (Boston Globe) or a “party band with a conscience.” Re-emerging in 2017 from a hibernation period during-which the band’s founders explored new songwriting terrain, The Mammals “don’t suffer from multiple genre syndrome, they celebrate it as if gleefully aware that the sound barriers separating old-timey music, vintage pop and contemporary folk are as permeable as cotton” (Washington Post). Their latest album, Nonet, “marshalls the defiant spirit needed to heal a damaged world” (No Depression). In 2023 they released a series of singles recorded at their own Humble Abode Music, as well as issuing bonus material from 2020’s landmark Nonet album. A new double album is slated for 2025.
Ruth is the daughter of legendary fiddler, Jay Ungar, composer of the storied “Ashokan Farewell.” You can catch The Mammals semi-annually at The Hoot, a folk festival they curate and produce at The Ashokan Center in Olivebridge, NY.
“Hailed by many as Americana trailblazers and exuding togetherness on stage, [The Mammals] are also gently-mannered activists with well-crafted songs that successfully ask potent questions and raise issues to probe how we can improve the planet. They deliver their material persuasively and in an eloquent manner with enjoyment of their music underpinning the approach overall. The music is the motivator throughout.”
“In the vanguard of today’s vibrant folk revival” – PopMatters
“A national treasure.” – Anais Mitchell
“One of New York State’s finest treasures.” – Americana UK
“Some of the best folk-rock music you will ever hear.” – TapeOp
“Some of the best songwriting of their generation.” – LA Times
“These two will shatter any preconceived stereotypical notions of what it means to be a folk musician.” – Coastal Journal
“Nonet marshals the defiant spirit needed to heal a damaged world” – No Depression
“The Mammals aren’t the first band to mix an indie-rock sensibility with bluegrass sounds,
but they’re gradually becoming one of the best.” – No Depression
“The Mammals tell stories that are at once topical and timeless, bearing a message of hope
and empowerment with a modern string-band sound.” – Freshgrass Festival
