The Mammals Do Not Want Your Old Farm Equipment, ep. 339

The Mammals Do Not Want Your Old Farm Equipment, ep. 339

Author: The Bluegrass Situation March 19, 2026 Duration: 47:00
Mike and Ruth Merenda have been making music together as the Mammals since 2001, with a little break in 2008 to play as Mike & Ruthy. They've been back as the Mammals since 2017 with a couple of great albums, most recently 'Touch Grass' Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. Mike, born and raised in New Hampshire, picked up the banjo after he met fiddler Ruth Unger. Ruth is the daughter of Jay Unger, a much loved folk musician who is best known for his composition, "Ashokan Farewell," used as the theme tune to the Ken Burns 1990 documentary 'The Civil War,' which you now have playing in your head. Essentially, Ruth grew up surrounded by folk music, which she talked all about on her last appearance on Basic Folk. This time around, we dig into a few of the songs on their double album 'Touch Grass.' There are A LOT to choose from: seventeen tracks in all. It was a four-year project recorded at their Humble Abode studio in the Catskills. The songs offer a mix of socially conscious "daytime" folk-rock and introspective "nighttime" Americana. We get into the gospel influence on "O The Cruelty," the barebones arrangements of "Old Friend," and keeping the sadness in check with "Doldrums." They also talk a bit about their home venue, the Ashokan Center, where their musical festival the Hoot takes place. Let it be known that the center has a ton of old farm equipment and no, they do not want any more, so don't ask them to take it. Thanks, Mike & Ruthy! Follow Basic Folk on social media: https://basicfolk.bio.link/ Sign up for Basic Folk's newsletter: https://bit.ly/basicfolknews Help produce Basic Folk by contributing: https://basicfolk.com/donate/ Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

There's a certain magic that happens when musicians are given the space to talk not just about their craft, but about the life that feeds it. That's the heart of Basic Folk, a series of conversations that feel more like catching up with an old friend than a formal interview. Hosts Cindy Howes and Lizzie No bring a genuine curiosity and easy warmth to each episode, creating an environment where artists often share stories and insights they might not elsewhere. Since 2018, this podcast has carved out a vital niche, actively seeking to honor and platform the incredible, sometimes under-the-radar, voices within the roots music world. You'll find a beautifully diverse tapestry of sound and experience here, from technical wizards and Grammy-winners like Molly Tuttle to culturally pivotal figures like Leyla McCalla, all united by their connection to folk music's expansive tradition. Produced by The Bluegrass Situation, each episode digs into the personal journeys, creative struggles, and quiet triumphs that shape the music. It’s less about celebrity and more about substance, offering listeners a chance to intimately understand the people behind the songs. Tune in for thoughtful, humorous and deeply human dialogues that remind you why folk music, in all its forms, remains a powerful force for storytelling and connection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Basic Folk
Podcast Episodes
Club Passim's Matt Smith on 30 Years of Building Community, ep. 344 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:22
Matt Smith is a living legend with his unbelievable 30-year run at Club Passim, the historic folk venue nestled in a Harvard Square basement. Currently Managing Director at Passim, Matt is the most passionate music lover…
Joe Henry & Mark Erelli Wanted to Hang Out, So We Let Them, ep. 338 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:22
Joe Henry has released 15 studio albums, apprenticed for legendary producer T Bone Burnett and, in turn, has produced many other musicians' albums on his own, including three GRAMMY Award-winning albums – for Solomon Bur…
Laurie Lewis' Bluegrass Love Letter to California, ep. 337 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:15
A foundational participant in the '70s Bay Area bluegrass scene, Laurie Lewis knows the power of collaboration. She's been a part of an ensemble in recent years that's called "Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands" with Laurie…
Great Lake Swimmers' Tony Dekker: Accidental Bandleader, ep. 335 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:40
Accidental bandleader and beloved Canadian Tony Dekker joins us to talk about Great Lake Swimmers' new album, 'Caught Light.' Tony is up to old tricks again, like recording in a remote and weird place (in a century-old f…
Mary Chapin Carpenter is the Woman in the Truck, ep. 334 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:52
Mary Chapin Carpenter's latest album, 'Personal History,' is as lush in production and color as the beautiful farmland she calls home in Virginia. Carpenter will often wake up early for sunrise walks with her dog, Angus,…