The Mammals lush 2020 album Nonet featured nine musicians and was “nothing short of sublime” according to Americana UK, bringing “the defiant spirit needed to heal a damaged world” as reported by No Depression Magazine. In 2022 the band is honored and thrilled to be performing these songs - and even newer ones - for live audiences.

Dynamic range is a hallmark of any concert by The Mammals. The quintet ensemble effortlessly spans the horizons of Americana, from soulfully harmonized indie-folk ballads to zealous fiddle and banjo-driven foot stompers. 

The band’s core and founders Mike Merenda & Ruth Ungar write songs to heal hearts and rouse minds. They have recorded and performed together for two decades, as the duo Mike + Ruthy and with The Mammals. They make their home in the lush Hudson River Valley of New York where they host a thriving community folk festival called The Hoot.

Mike Merenda’s poignant lyrics paint pictures of the world we want to live in, inspired in great part by his favorite author, Daniel Quinn. With songs like What It All Is, and Beyond Civilization, his songs embrace the notion that we are all connected, to each other and to the Earth.

Ruth Ungar was raised in a folk music family and learned the fiddle at a young age. Her father is fiddler/composer Jay Ungar, known for his composition Ashokan Farewell which the band performs. She’s a courageous, earthy singer with deep roots in tradition, contributing songs of unity and empathy like Someone’s Hurting and East Side West Side.

A 2019 tour of the UK prompted this concert review from Celtic Music Radio:

“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.”

This show will take place in the home of Paul and Nancy Brown. Feel free to bring your own beverage and snacks. Tickets for this show are limited. Gopherwood recommends you get your tickets early.