The Mike + Ruthy Band

Americana stand-outs  have assembled a new band and, as was the case with their last one, The Mammals, fans and critics alike are showing a lot of love. Their debut album, Bright as You Can, was released in June 2015 and top critics had this to say: "One of the year's standout Americana albums" (Boston Globe), "In the vanguard of today's vibrant folk revival" (Pop Matters), "honoring the great musical traditions of the past while at the same time welcoming, with open arms, the future of what music can be” (Folk Alley), and much, much more. They play with jubilation--as exciting and powerful as any quintet out there, mixing up fiddle and banjo with drums, bass, pedal steel and organ.Their concerts dance from Americana ho-downs to sassy blues, Motown soul, old-timey harmonies, rock-n-roll energy and infectious, inspired songwriting.

Mike + Ruthy met in NYC in 1998 and never looked back. He's a poet considered "one of the best songwriters of his generation" (LA Weekly). She's a chanteuse who grew up in the American roots underground, the daughter of GRAMMY-winning fiddler and educator, Jay Ungar. These two believe in the transformative power of a great live concert. They write top-tier songs, tour with their kids and peerless five-piece band, and perform for audiences worldwide. Folk music at it’s core, the band is amplified by rock elements - a sound they’ve taken to calling rural rock. Their latest release Bright As You Can (Thirty Tigers) brought them to new heights in 2015, spending 15 consecutive weeks in the Americana Radio top 40, with accolades from the likes of the Boston Globe ("One of the year's standout Americana albums”) and Wall Street Journal ("The 14-song collection spans folk, bluegrass, vintage country and just about everything else that falls under the catch-all heading of ‘Americana.’”) This fall Mike + Ruthy are supporting Ani DiFranco throughout the Northeast and in 2016 they’ll be debuting the new band at Scotland’s Celtic Connections festival with a tour of US festivals to follow.

* Praise for  Bright As You Can * 

“'One of the year’s standout Americana albums."

- Boston Globe

"In the vanguard of today’s vibrant folk revival."

- Pop Matters

"The 14-song collection spans folk, bluegrass, vintage country and just about everything else that falls under the catch-all heading of 'Americana.'”

- Wall Street Journal 

"Everything is masterfully performed as Mike Merenda and Ruthy Ungar sing about the charms of hard work, homemade wine and free parking. Amid the barn dance reverie created by fiddle, pedal steel, horns and more, Ruthy's versatile alto is the most glorious instrument of all."

- ABCnews