Biography
Mike and Ruthy are a musical couple whose love was forged in New York City amidst a swirl of rock, anti-folk, and Americana enthusiasm. They harmonized from the first night they met, bringing smiles to their friends’ faces with original songs and layering raspy fiddle over pop-strummed guitar. It was 1999, and their band, Rhinegold, played to pre-trucker-hat hipsters in the East Village and then gathered to play more songs around the cluttered coffeetable at someone’s apartment. Richard Buckner played low on the small bedside stereo as these young, nocturnal band-mates got some early morning sleep.
It’s true that Mike was originally recruited by his college to play hockey and Ruth had gone to school for acting, but now they began a new path together, crafting songs and recordings and touring the world. Ten years later, Mike and Ruthy are married and living upstate with their new son, William Puck. With 7 years of touring under their belts with folk band The Mammals, they have begun a new chapter, one that still incorporates the best sounds and textures that old-timey and rock music can offer.
Their first duo CD “The Honeymoon Agenda,” was well received by fans and critics alike. "When most newlyweds take their honeymoons, they jet off to some sunny, all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean. This young couple opted to spend their postnuptials at home in West Hurley making their first album as a duo. 'The Honeymoon Agenda' is a 40-minute expression of love. Here’s hoping the couple’s anniversaries yield more records this good." - Hudson Valley Chronogram
"Waltz of the Chickadee" is the brand new recording, released on their own Humble Abode Music label in the spring of 2009. With a few guest appearances by their family and friends, the record is full of great new lyrical journeys surrounded by moody mountain sounds and tasteful twang. Read more about “Waltz of the Chickadee” at http://mikeandruthy.com/Waltz_of_the_Chickadee.html
On the heels of the roots-based "Chickadee" session, Mike & Ruthy began collaborating with their new friend Craig Santiago whose graceful drumming has already inspired another CD's worth of original folk-rock material. With long-time collaborator bassist/producer José Ayerve on board, this project, tentatively titled "Rise," will be available in the fall. *
Mike and Ruthy love writing, recording and playing shows and music festivals as a duo or 4-piece band. The added joy and demands of parenthood have given them a new appreciation for the power of good music and the fine community of people they have connected with across the country and the world. Enjoying the beauty of the moment is their shared goal, and you can hear it in every song they sing.
* Hear 3 tracks from the upcoming release on the audio page!
Instrumentation
now touring as a duo or 4-piece band
Michael Merenda (Mike): vocals, guitar, banjo
Ruth Ungar Merenda (Ruthy): vocals, fiddle, guitar, ukulele, harmonica
Craig Santiago: drums
José Ayerve: bass
Discography
Mike and Ruthy:
The Honeymoon Agenda (2008)
Michael Merenda:
Quiver (2007)
Election Day (2004)
Trapped in the Valley (2000)
Ruth Ungar:
Sometymes Why (2005)
Jukebox (2002)
The Mammals:
Departure (2006)
Rock That Babe (2004)
Evolver (2002)
Born Live (2001)
Links
| http://www.mikeandruthy.com |