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Welcome back to Finetuned! Hey there, this will be the first newsletter with two new elements in it. I know, a lot of change. Either way, it’s a way to support Finetuned, and I would super appreciate if you could do one or both of em 💚 .
Those two new things you ask? Here they are:
We have our first ad! I’ve placed it towards the bottom. I don’t want this to be a nuisance for you all, but please do know it supports me. If you hate it or love it, feel free to reply to this email and let me know!
We have a referral program! If you refer 10 people via the link/button at the bottom of the email, you’ll get access to a private playlist! 🤯
I digress, friends, this week we are chatting about Under The Rug. Let’s get into it! ❤
Under The Rug is an indie rock / folk-rock band based in Austin, Texas, formed by vocalist/guitarist Casey Dayan, guitarist Sean Campbell, and drummer Brendan McQueeney. The trio has toured extensively, built a dedicated fan base, and developed a home-studio/DIY ethos in their songwriting and production, it is very very apparent. They emerged with a sound rooted in this heart-on-sleeve kinda storytelling, and over time have grown more ambitious in scope and instrumentation.
Their band ethos is one that emphasizes authenticity, community, and direct connection with fans. They’ve maintained a strong DIY streak of writing their songs, engaging with fans through handwritten letters and a membership service called The Secret Hideout, and self-producing much of their work. They frame their art as personal and vulnerable: the songs often reflect real emotions, identity struggles, and small-town/road-life narratives rather than superficial pop constructs.
Under The Rug’s music is so fun, it really is. The instrumentation often includes warm guitars (acoustic and electric), gentle drums or brushes (hello jazz, how are ya?), subtle keys or organ flourishes, and vocal delivery that conveys sincerity and heart. Their arrangements tend to give space for lyrics and mood, leaning more toward introspection and resonance than high-shimmer production. In live or fuller recordings they’ll add slide guitar, layered harmonies, or richer textures, but the core remains grounded in songwriting, storytelling, and emotional clarity. Can ya feel the vibes or what?
On happiness is easy =), the homies expand their sonic palette while retaining their foundational authenticity, that you could recognize them for. The production is rich: you’ll hear crisp guitars, ambient textural layers, backing harmonies, occasional synth or organ color, and moments of fuller band sound. Yet the songs also include quieter, more intimate moments (just voice and guitar or minimal instrumentation) allowing the emotional content to breathe. The balance between spacious arrangement and lyrical intimacy gives the record texture and depth.
Lyrically, the album delves into themes of happiness, identity, transition, resilience, longing, and the complexity of feeling deserving of joy. Vocalist Casey Dayan wrote much of it while navigating personal change and reflection, and many songs address moments of vulnerability, authenticity, and self-acceptance. While not strictly autobiographical in every line, the writing feels very grounded in lived experience: the choices we make, the roads we travel, the selves we become or fight to become. The album frames happiness not as a static state but as a process, punctuated by struggle, memory, and small victories.
Across the record, the movement between earnest minimalism and richer sonic moments is central: one track may start quietly and build into a fuller soundscape; another may strip back after a big chorus to leave you in a reflective space. The juxtaposition of acoustic warmth with ambient or electric embellishments kept me engaged, in every facet of what that means. The production choices enhance the lyrical themes rather than overshadow them. The result is an album that invites repeat listening, where each detail (a slide guitar line, a backing vocal phrase, a lyrical turn) rewards attention.
Why Listen? You should listen to happiness is easy =) because it’s a deeply human, emotionally resonant record that combines strong songwriting with nuanced production. If you appreciate music that doesn’t just go for the big hook but spends time exploring feeling, identity, and the journey toward joy, this album stands out. It’s accessible enough for casual listening yet rich enough for deeper reflection, making it a worthwhile listen for fans of singer-songwriter, indie rock, and emotional storytelling.
under the rug - happiness is easy =)
Listen Wherever You Are ⤵
Finetuned Rec 👇
I actually had a coworker recommend this album to me, and WOW. It forced me to deep-dive into their sonic textures and listen so much more intently.
(P.s. thanks Jess)
Enjoy the jams, Finetuners!
artist - Under The Rug
album - happiness is easy =)
album rating - 9.8/10
fave track - laugh a lot
hon. men. #1 - i don’t want to cry in my…
hon. men. #2 - todd
hon. men. #3 - one life to live in
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Thanks for reading here, Finetuners! I do hope you all have enjoyed this week’s Finetuned. I’d appreciate any insights, admiration, or otherwise. You can email me here: [email protected].
Please do share Finetuned with your friends & fam & whoever else! I believe great music should be shared, cherished, and understood from all sorts of perspectives.
See you all in the next one! 🙌
(Sources: Under The Rug – Official Site · Reggies Live – Band Bio · KUTX Studio 1A – Interview/Band Info · Tinnitist – Album Review happiness is easy =) · Northern Transmissions – Album Release News · Medium – Band Overview