Anyone who caught the Mike & Ruthy Band’s Celtic Connections debut in 2016 won’t want to miss The Mammals, the band Ruth Ungar and Mike Merenda formed in 2001, who are back following a lengthy hiatus. Featuring fiddle, banjo, guitar, organ, bass, and drums these self-styled “subversive acoustic traditionalists” create an easy flowing blend of old-timey music, vintage pop and contemporary folk with often outspoken lyrics borne on irresistibly catchy melodies and expert musicianship.

Michigan songbird May Erlewine is a prolific and passionate songwriter whose words of solace and straight-from-the-soul singing have touched hearts all over the world.