Indie-roots trailblazers, high-octane Americana from rafter-raising to hear-a-pin-drop balladry

ABOUT.

The Mammals are folksingers Ruth Ungar, Mike Merenda, and a dynamic quintet of multi-instrumentalists whose sound spans fiddle, banjo, guitar, organ, bass, and drums. Over two decades, this fiercely independent band has built a legacy of genre-defying, politically charged, and emotionally resonant folk-rock praised as “some of the best songwriting of their generation” (LA Times). Their music resonates with urgency and tenderness—amplifying the voices of conscience, connection, and the full spectrum of human experience.

Hailing from New York’s Hudson Valley, The Mammals emerged in the early 2000s as “subversive acoustic traditionalists” (Boston Globe), blending old-timey roots with lyrical fire and magnetic force. After a period of redefinition as Mike + Ruthy, the band reemerged in 2017 and have since continued to forge music that is as topical as it is timeless. The Washington Post writes, “They don’t suffer from multiple genre syndrome—they celebrate it.”

Their forthcoming 2025 double album Touch Grass Vol. 1 & 2 marks the band’s most expansive offering to date. A lyrical wake-up call and a tender salve, the album was recorded at their own Humble Abode Music studio over four years. Produced by the band and mastered by Greg Calbi, Touch Grass pulses with Americana soul, front-porch folk, and barn-burning electricity. Volume 1 channels defiant spirit with tracks like “Unpopular Ideas” and “Rolling Stone Refugee,” while Volume 2 invites introspection and healing with meditative songs like “Luna Light” and “Heal Our Heart.” “Doing good doesn’t have to mean do more,” they sing—reminding us that kindness and community are forms of resistance.

Their previous release, Nonet (2020), was hailed as a landmark album that “marshals the defiant spirit needed to heal a damaged world” (No Depression), and the band continues to evolve with their sound, touring internationally and maintaining a vibrant creative base in the Catskills. Twice a year, The Mammals host The Hoot, a spirited folk festival they curate at The Ashokan Center, a nod to Ruth’s musical heritage—she’s the daughter of legendary fiddler Jay Ungar, composer of “Ashokan Farewell.”

With praise from fans, press, and peers including Anaïs Mitchell (“a national treasure”), The Mammals remain in the vanguard of today’s folk revival—musical storytellers rooted in empathy, joy, and fierce authenticity.

“Some of the best songwriting of their generation.” - LA Times

“A national treasure.” - Anais Mitchell

”A party band with a conscience” - Boston Globe

"Some of the best folk-rock music you will ever hear.” - TapeOp

"In the vanguard of today's vibrant folk revival" - PopMatters

“One of New York State’s finest treasures.” - Americana UK

“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 tell stories that are at once topical and timeless, bearing a message of hope
and empowerment with a modern string-band sound.” - Freshgrass Festival

“Hailed by many as Americana trailblazers, Ruth Ungar and Mike Merenda, happily married and exuding togetherness on stage, are also gently-mannered activists with well-crafted songs that successfully ask potent questions of politicians 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.” - Celtic Music Radio

Praise for Nonet.

Nonet /nōˈnet/ noun

1. a group of nine people or things, especially musicians.
2. an album by The Mammals