The Mammals

Hailing from Woodstock, NY, The Mammals are a warm-blooded party band with a conscience. As the Washington Post proclaimed, “They 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.” Their 2018 solar sing-along, "Sunshiner," was nominated for Folk Alliance International’s Song of the Year.

Their new album "Nonet," (out May 22, 2020) brims with their characteristic hope and authenticity. Like a shimmering wall of sound, with sparkling piano and banjo, pulsing double-drums, and soaring fiddle and organ, their courageous dynamics draw you in, lift your spirits, and renew your heart. The Mammals will perform 2020 festivals and release concerts in the USA and Australia, and will curate and headline their festival the Summer Hoot in the Catskills at the end of August.

At the creative heart of the project are songwriting multi-instrumentalists and founding members Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar Merenda. They generally tour as a quintet featuring Konrad Meissner and a rotating cast of their favorite organ and bass players.

“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

"Indeed, The Mammals are all heart, and Sunshiner seems to be packed with ideas about how love will yet win over darkness and fear.” - Kim Ruehl, Folk Alley