Tag: the mammals

LISTEN: The Mammals, “Radio Signal”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: The Mammals
Hometown: Woodstock, New York
Song: “Radio Signal”
Album: Nonet
Release Date: March 27, 2020 (single); May 22 (album)
Label: Humble Abode Music / Soundly

In Their Words: “The day of the 2017 Charlottesville riot I got a text from our friend, Vern, reading: ‘PLEASE for the song that kills fascists.’ ‘Radio Signal’ was written in the next 10 minutes. Where is the hope in our twisted culture? Bob Dylan says it’s in the wind. Daniel Quinn described a sacred ‘blaze of life’ that connects all things. Pete Seeger showed us the power of many people making small contributions: the ‘tea-spoon brigade.’ Each verse of ‘Radio Signal’ is a nod to one of those three great teachers, melodically informed by the beautiful old folk song, ‘Shenandoah,’ and transformed into the anthemic rock song we share with you today. ‘And I roll, and I roll, down the backroads of my soul. Lookin’ for light like a radio signal…'” — Mike Merenda, The Mammals

Photo credit: Tom Eberhardt-Smith

The Show On The Road – The Mammals

Posted on by Chris Jacobs

Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar of The Mammals talk to Zach about their devoted activism, big-hearted protest songs, and how music can still make a difference.

LISTEN: APPLE PODCASTS • MP3


Presented by Nomad Goods. Head to hellonomad.com/bgs and use code “BGS” at checkout to receive 15% off any full-priced items through the end of January.

WATCH: The Mammals, ‘Sunshiner’

Posted on by Editor

Artist: The Mammals
Hometown: Woodstock, NY
Song: “Sunshiner”
Album: Sunshiner
Release Date: April 20, 2018
Label: Humble Abode Music

In Their Words: “I woke up with the chorus in my head: ‘Yes, my daddy was a miner, but I’m gonna be a Sunshiner.’ I was sick as a dog, but I got myself out of bed, marched myself up to our funky little studio above our garage, and began croaking out the lyric into my phone with what little voice I had. I tried to not overthink it, and the verses came together about as quickly as I could sing them. Because of my compromised singing voice, I was playing in a very low key. Something about the lazy, hushed vibe really worked for the song, so I kept it down there, even when I had my full voice back. It falls somewhere between a lullaby and a prayer, and makes for a wonderful sing-a-long at shows.

‘Sunshiner’ was actually the very last song we recorded for the album. It went over so beautifully in concert and felt so relevant to the times that we knew it had to be on the record, maybe even the title track. Ruthy and I recorded it very quickly — just ourselves playing all the instruments — and we were lucky to have some very special back-up singers come in to fill it out — Sarah Jarosz and Connor Kennedy. To change everything, we need everyone.” — Mike Merenda

Photo credit: Tom Krueger

LISTEN: The Mammals, ‘My Baby Drinks Water’

Posted on by Editor

Artist: The Mammals
Hometown: West Hurley, NY
Song: “My Baby Drinks Water”
Release Date: May 1, 2017
Label: Humble Abode Music

In Their Words: “I’ve always been inspired by the defiant and plaintive imagery of Jean Richie’s Kentucky strip-mining tale ‘Black Waters’ and the way that music tugs at your heart. This song just came to me one day when we were on tour with our little boy and baby girl, and I was doing a lot of singing and nursing.

For a few years, I only sang ‘My Baby Drinks Water’ in our home (or van) as a lullaby, but the bravery of the Standing Rock water protectors inspired me to film myself singing it on the banks of the Ashokan Reservoir where we live and share it with folks. The fast and warm response to that video prompted us to make this studio recording with my family. Lyn Hardy (my mom) sings harmony, and Jay Ungar and Molly Mason (my dad and step-mom) support the mood with drones on the fiddle and bowed bass. We did our best to recreate the private feeling of this song in front of microphones. Big thanks to producer Adam Armstrong for capturing it.

We dedicate this song to families and water protectors everywhere. The more we preserve, the more there is to share. Money is artificial. Water is life.” — Ruth Ungar

Photo credit: TW Collins