Under the Rug (band)

Under the Rug
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresIndie rock, folk rock, Americana
Years active2010s–present
LabelIndependent

Under the Rug is an American indie rock and folk rock band formed in Los Angeles, California. The group later operated out of Austin, Texas, and is currently based in Portland, Oregon.[1] Since the 2010s, the band has released multiple studio albums, including Dear Adeline (2022), Homesick for Another World (2023), and Happiness Is Easy (2024), and has received coverage from publications including Americana UK, Glide Magazine, Atwood Magazine, and Rolling Stone India.[2][3][4][5] They have toured nationally multiple times while collaborating with artists such as Ariel Posen, Sam Hollander, and Mason Jennings.[6][7] Reviewers have noted the band's musicality and balanced live performances.[8] While sometimes touring with hired musicians, Under the Rug's core members are Cassie Dayan, Sean Campbell, and Brendan McQueeney.[9]

History

Early history and formation

Under the Rug began as a songwriting collaboration between Cassie Dayan and guitarist Sean Campbell while students at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Drummer Brendan McQueeney soon joined, establishing the trio's core lineup. Bassist Jesse Holsapple was a full-time member for the band's first two releases and some early singles.[10] After a move to Los Angeles, the band recorded and independently released their debut full-length album, Pale King, followed later that year by the EP Too Far Away (2019).[11][1] After performing extensively in Los Angeles for years, the band relocated to Austin, Texas.[1]

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the group committed to touring and recording full-time. In interviews, Dayan described an evolution in their music from character-based songwriting toward more personal and emotionally direct material.[12]

Dear Adeline (2022)

Under The Rug released their sophomore LP, Dear Adeline in 2022. Much of the music was written over a five-year period following the death of vocalist Dayan's mother.[13] In discussing the album's development, Dayan cited influences including The Mountain Goats and Leonard Cohen.[13]

Reviewing the album, Americana UK highlighted its emotionally focused songwriting, noting a blend of folk and indie influences.[2] Atwood Magazine premiered the single "Go to Sleep," and described the record as centered on themes of perseverance and personal reckoning.[13][3]

Homesick for Another World (2023)

Homesick for Another World was released in February of 2023. Reviewing the album, Americana UK noted the record's Beatle-esque production.[14]

The lead single "Lonesome & Mad," featured guitarist Ariel Posen on slide guitar. In its premiere of the track's video, Chorus.fm highlighted the collaboration with Posen and the song's melodic construction, while Americana UK singled out the track in its album review.[6]

Shortly after its release, the band began a headlining tour of the United States in support of the album.[15] During their run, they made a live in-studio appearance at WCBE in Columbus.[16] Live show reviews have noted the group's dynamic arrangements and three-part vocal harmonies. Music Connection highlighted the band's stage presence, use of contrasting dynamics and harmonies during performances.[8]

Happiness Is Easy (2024)

Under the Rug released Happiness Is Easy in 2024. In interviews with V13 and the CWU Observer, Dayan explained that the record reflected a more personal and less commercially driven creative approach, emphasizing emotional transparency in the songwriting process.[17][12] The album includes collaborations with songwriter Sam Hollander on three songs, including the lead single "Mad Girl's Love Song", as well as a guest vocal appearance by Mason Jennings on the second part of the record.[7]

In support of Happiness Is Easy, the band began another headlining North American tour across multiple U.S. cities.[18] They also performed a live session for Austin public radio station KUTX as part of the station's Studio 1A series, playing acoustic versions of their material.[9]

Musical style

In an interview with the San Diego Reader, vocalist Cassie Dayan cited influences including Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains, describing the band as "like an indie-folk/Americana take on that kind of music."[19]

Reviews of the band's recordings have highlighted their emphasis on vocal harmony and distinctive arrangements. Writing about the group's work, Americana UK noted the band's blend of folk and indie rock elements.[2]

Members

  • Cassie Dayan – vocals, guitar
  • Sean Campbell – guitar
  • Brendan McQueeney – drums, piano

Discography

Studio albums

  • Pale King (2019)
  • Dear Adeline (2022)
  • Homesick for Another World (2023)
  • Happiness Is Easy (2024)
  • I'M LOOKING OUT THROUGH THESE EYES BUT I'M IN HERE ALONE (2025)

EPs

  • Too Far Away (2019)
  • Three Eighty eight (2026)

Selected singles

  • "Raindrops"
  • "Dear Adeline"
  • "Go to Sleep"
  • "As Long As You're Here"
  • "Lonesome & Mad"

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Under the Rug: Reflections from the darker side". River Cities' Reader. July 13, 2023. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  2. 1 2 3 "Under the Rug – Dear Adeline". Americana UK. 2022. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  3. 1 2 "Under the Rug – Go To Sleep (Song Premiere)". Atwood Magazine. 2022. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  4. ↑ "SONG PREMIERE: Austin's Under The Rug Knots Bold Intimate Charisma On "Bolo Tie"". Glide Magazine. January 18, 2023. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  5. ↑ "Global Artists Spotlight: Paige Corwin..." Rolling Stone India. January 24, 2022. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  6. 1 2 "Under The Rug – "Lonesome and Mad" ft. Ariel Posen (Video Premiere)". Chorus.fm. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  7. 1 2 "Under The Rug Ironically Assure You That Happiness Is Easy". Tinnitist. August 16, 2024. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  8. 1 2 "Live Review: Under The Rug". Music Connection. August 8, 2023. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  9. 1 2 "Under the Rug in Studio 1A". KUTX Studio 1A. January 22, 2025. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  10. ↑ Horvát, Adorjan (November 8, 2018). "Under The Rug, "A Serial Killer Comes Home" Review". Staccatofy. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
  11. ↑ "Premiere: Austin's Under the Rug Reckon with Grief in Soothing "Go to Sleep" Off 2nd Album Dear Adeline". Atwood Magazine. January 19, 2022. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  12. 1 2 "Under The Rug: Art, Happiness and The Journey of a Lifetime". CWU Observer. March 15, 2025. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  13. 1 2 3 Mosk, Mitch (February 25, 2022). ""Salty, Colorful, & Intricate": Under the Rug's Aching 'Dear Adeline' Is a Record of Reckoning & Perseverance". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
  14. ↑ "Under the Rug – Homesick For Another World". Americana UK. 2023. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  15. ↑ "Under the Rug, November 19". River Cities' Reader. 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  16. ↑ Brennan, Maggie (November 14, 2023). "WCBE Presents Under The Rug Live From Studio A Thurs. Nov. 16, 2023 @ 2PM!". WCBE 90.5 FM. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
  17. ↑ "Under The Rug Lead Singer Cassie Dayan Discusses 'happiness is easy =)'". V13.net. August 28, 2024. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  18. ↑ "Under The Rug Announce U.S. Tour Dates". New Music Weekly. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  19. ↑ "Under the Rug's fan-finding mission". San Diego Reader. September 21, 2023. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
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