Under the Rug
Under The Rug, the Austin, Texas-based indie outfit, has crafted a unique, heart-on-sleeve musical journey over their decade-long career. Led by the dynamic trio of vocalist and guitarist Casey Dayan, alongside the deft musicianship of guitarist Sean Campbell and drummer Brendan McQueeney, the band seamlessly blends an eclectic mix of indie, folk, and Americana, all while remaining steadfast in their commitment to the art of storytelling.
Known for their DIY marketing efforts, the band has built a fierce and dedicated fan base through direct-to-fan handwritten letters and their membership service, The Secret Hideout. Their dedication to songwriting as a craft is evident, delivering earnest tracks that resonate with listeners worldwide. Whether performing at sold-out shows or writing on the go in their beat-up van, the band continues to resonate with fans, capturing both hearts and imaginations. Under The Rug has garnered cheers from American Songwriter, Rolling Stone India, Atwood Magazine, and even received a co-sign from The Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle.
Building on the success of their acclaimed Junior LP, Homesick For Another World, and the viral sensation of their hit single, "Lonesome and Mad"—which topped Spotify's search charts in the US and continues to dominate virality playlists in numerous other countries—Under The Rug is set to sustain their momentum. The band eagerly anticipates their upcoming release, happiness is easy, and is preparing for their headlining US tour in support.
Under The Rug’s upcoming release, happiness is easy, is a sprawling 2-part, 30-track exploration of the challenges of pursuing happiness, delivered with the band’s signature irreverence, irony, and dark humor. Produced with the help of David Peters, and featuring co-writers like Sam Hollander (Panic! At the Disco, Fitz and the Tantrums) and Mason Jennings, the album blends poignant personal themes with universal questions on life and fulfillment.
With songs like lead single "mad girl's love song," an interpretation of Sylvia Plath’s famed villanelle, title track "happiness is easy," and "i don't want to cry in my car anymore," each offering a tongue-in-cheek look into the headspace of lyricist Dayan, the album navigates topics such as self-discovery, authenticity, drug use, and loneliness, while providing moments of levity and insight. Dayan wrote happiness is easy as a reflection on coming to terms with identity and the pursuit of joy in a complicated world. “It’s the least fictional thing I’ve written,” she reveals. The album is filled with gentle arpeggios, evocative lyrics, and piercing guitar melodies that reveal the band's growth and commitment to authenticity. It's not just a meditation on personal struggles but also a search for meaning and connection in the modern age.
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B asic Printer
Basic Printer is the "Gloitchpop" music project of Jesse Gillenwalters, raised in Binghamton, NY, now operating from Nashville, TN. BP delightfully combines elements of synthpop, indie rock, and hip hop into a delightfully vulnerable and inventive sound. Gillenwalters, a long-time lover of concept albums, often injects dense emotional centers into most Basic Printer songs for listeners interested in dissecting further...but don't worry, you can also just bop along to the quirky beats and synthy 'isms' the project has become known for if you're not looking to scan through the "lore". Basic Printer's latest record, "HAHA YEAH", is a self-described musical temper tantrum attempting to shake off a bad relationship. The result is a varied and dynamic experimental pop record with high highs and low lows. He's currently touring with similarly irreverent weirdos Under the Rug, representing the new album's music in a duo lineup with long-time drummer Aaron Walters.
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