Under The Rug Lead Singer Casey Dayan Discusses ‘happiness is easy =)’

Happiness is one of the most difficult things to define, making it a topic for Under The Rug to indulge in more fully. It’s the main topic of the band’s most ambitious brand-new album, happiness is easy =). More appropriately, we should refer to it as a double album featuring two parts and 30 songs. If you haven’t guessed, the title leans more on the sarcastic side as the songs dive into the complexities and difficulties surrounding finding happiness in today’s society. The songs are personal and emotional, confronting life’s unexpected challenges and accepting your identity. Lead singer Casey Dayan wrote the album while she was learning how to come to terms with her transness.

In composing this album, the members of Under The Rug were fortunate to get a big assist from a significant asset. Some of the songs on happiness is easy =) were worked on and co-written with Sam Hollander. Hollander is one of the most sought-after songwriters in today’s music scene. He has helped write songs for Panic! At The Disco, Banners, Katy Perry, Fitz and the Tantrums, and countless more. Hollander helped lend experience and perspective to the band while offering a lot of wisdom. Also, the album features guest appearances by Mason Jennings and Basic Printer, who is going on tour with the band this fall.

Joining us today for a chat is Casey herself, who provides us with a more thorough introduction to Under The Rug and what they’re all about. Check out the group live; dates can be found here.

What is the story behind the name Under The Rug?

Casey Dayan: “At the time, we loved making music so much we were sweeping everything else under the rug to keep doing it. I suppose we still are!”

How would you describe Under The Rug’s creative process?

“Oh, anyway, we can get there—books, exercises, getaways, middle-of-the-night inspiration, hardship, joking around. Someone’s always got an instrument and working on something, and I’m always writing something down like a nerd.”

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

“Oh, that’s so hard. I’m afraid of meeting my heroes now. There are some indie people I want to collaborate with, Moe Reen, Angela Perley, Alie Byland, the folks behind tele novella. And I can’t imagine a shot at writing with Adrianne Lenker or producing with Blake Mills not being deeply rewarding.”

Under The Rug ‘Happiness is Easy =)’ album artwork

What’s the best show you’ve ever played?

“They’re all so different and have their own, beautiful moments, but I can’t help thinking of this undersold show in Amarillo a couple of tours ago where we meant it, and the few people there felt it.”

What was the highlight of the last tour you went on?

“Chicago with a band-wide stomach flu so bad (drummer) Brendan (McQueeney) threw up a conical projectile vortex of red Gatorade in a Panda Express parking lot. We still brought it. I was so proud of us. It felt, for a moment, like we could do anything.”

What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened at one of your shows or on tour?

“Oh, geez—we had a small-town opener with a bombastic Animal-esque drummer. He had a hair fan that will be burned into my mind forever. It was true freedom incarnate. I love that man.”

Who would you be most amazed to see front row at one of your shows?

“I paid so many dues I’m still thankful to see anyone there (laughs). I think I will be forever.”

Do you ever get stage fright? What’s your solution for it?

“I don’t know about stage fright, but I’ll get adrenaline at the bigger shows. I like it. It feels like living!”

Do you have any rituals before you hit the stage? If so, what are they?

“Besides the blood sacrifices, we have a pretty specific warmup routine.”

What is the strangest thing that has happened to you on tour or at one of your shows?

“The coolest production manager I ever met took me to the roof of a very historic venue and showed me some wild World War II relics that live in that massive venue’s attic. It was a really magical moment for me that ended with climbing through the weird submarine hatch on the ceiling to the roof, where we looked out over the city and talked.”

Your new LP happiness is easy =) has just been released. Now that it is complete, how do you feel about it, and what has been the response so far?

“I’m thankful it’s done, and our fans are enjoying it as far as I can tell. I have trouble evaluating our albums once we let them go out into the world. They’re part of me, and I need some distance from them to see them properly.”

How does it make you feel when that power and energy you channelled in the studio come to life in front of a crowd?

“It’s one of the best feelings there is, second only to maybe the magic of writing the songs.”

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take three CDs with you for eternity (assuming there was a solar-powered CD player), what would they be?

“Elliot Smith – Either/Or
Big Thief – Dragon New Warm Mountain
Radiohead – In Rainbows
Mason Jennings – Self-Titled
Nina Simone – Pastel Blues

“You said five, right?”

Under The Rug 2024 tour flyer

Tour Dates:

08/29 – Valley Bar – Phoenix, AZ
08/31 – Venice West – Los Angeles, CA
09/01 – Soda Bar – San Diego, CA
09/06 – Brick & Mortar – San Francisco, CA
09/07 – Goldfield Trading Post – Sacramento, CA
09/09 – Madame Lou’s – Seattle, WA
09/10 – The Showdown – Portland, OR
09/12 – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
09/13 – The Coast – Fort Collins, CO
09/14 – Black Buzzard – Denver, CO
09/17 – Blueberry Hill – St. Louis, MO
09/19 – 7th Street – Minneapolis, MN
09/20 – Beat Kitchen – Chicago, IL
09/21 – The Sanctuary – Detroit, MI
09/25 – Healer – Indianapolis, IN
09/26 – Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI
09/27 – The Basement – Columbus, OH
09/28 – Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH
09/29 – Club Cafe – Pittsburgh, PA
10/02 – The Rockwell – Boston, MA
10/03 – Knitting Factory – New York, NY
10/04 – Silk City – Philadelphia, PA
10/05 – Pie Shop – Washington, DC
10/08 – Cannery – Row One – Nashville, TN
10/09 – Eddie’s Attic – Atlanta, GA
10/10 – Evening Muse – Charlotte, NC
10/11 – Royal American – Charleston, SC
10/17 – Sundown at Granada – Dallas, TX
10/19 – Mohawk (Indoors) – Austin, TX