One very late evening in 1998, down in the tiniest factory/apartment building in New York City’s looming financial district, Mike and Ruthy first combined their talents over cheap beer and not much else. The results were magical.
For the past seven years they’ve traveled the world as members of the contemporary stringband, The Mammals.
“Every decade has its state-of-the-art folk-rock band. This decade’s is the Mammals, most often noted for featuring Pete Seeger‘s grandson Tao Rodriguez-Seeger and fiddler Jay Ungar‘s daughter Ruth. But the band’s secret threat is songwriter Michael Merenda, seemingly descended not just from one famous folkie, but the entire folk tradition itself. His songs range from sensitive, breathy ballads to audibly grinning political broadsides.” – Jeff Rosenberg, Willamette Week
In 2007, they chose to spend some money on a nice new microphone (instead of a trip to Bermuda) and hit the home studio to record their first duo CD, “The Honeymoon Agenda.” These days, Mike & Ruthy continue to stay a bit closer to their Hudson Valley home. With a repertoire of old-timey twang, topical folk, and just plain love songs, they weave between heartfelt vocal duets and lively fiddle & banjo tunes.
Here’s some recent response to their music:
“Just wanted to tell you that I can’t stop playing The Honeymoon Agenda! It’s a haunting, infectious, beautiful record. You have continued to surprise me.” – Johanna Hall, Woodstock, NY
“Wow… Amazing! Your voices are like honey, the lyrics are beautifully intuitive and the music made me feel enveloped. The love that you share transmits in a powerful way. What started off as a long drive turned into a beautiful experience. Thanks.” – Roxanne Trombly, Lenox, MA
