Austin, TX – Under The Rug, the acclaimed indie outfit based in Austin, Texas, has released the lead single – “mad girl’s love song” – off part 1 of their forthcoming album, happiness is easy, due August 16th. Inspired by Sylvia Plath’s iconic villanelle, this evocative track is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Lead singer Casey Dayan shares the inspiration behind “mad girl’s love song,” explaining, “This song is an homage to Sylvia Plath’s eponymous villanelle, which I’ve always admired. I wanted to write something new from it, or inspired by it, without strictly using her language in a derivative way.” Dayan elaborates on the connection to Plath’s work, “Sylvia’s poem, to me, at least, feels like it’s about a character’s relationship to an imagined version of someone and the expectations that character superimposes onto them. The dissonance between those expectations and reality drives the character mad.” While the original poem adheres to the strict and moody form of a villanelle, Under The Rug’s adaptation breaks free from this structure. Dayan reveals, “In our song, things had to move differently. The speaker is more concerned with the dissonance between who they are and how the expectations the ‘you’ might have of THEM. It feels true to me, as a trans person, who is often being interpreted on the internet.” This unique perspective adds a profound layer of meaning to “mad girl’s love song,” making it a poignant and powerful addition to Under The Rug’s discography. The track was co-written by Sam Hollander (Panic! At The Disco, Fitz and the Tantrums, Banners), produced by Under The Rug, and engineered by David Peters.
Under The Rug’s upcoming album, happiness is easy, is a sprawling two-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 and Mason Jennings, the record blends poignant personal themes with universal questions on life and fulfillment. With songs like lead single, “mad girl’s love Song,” a homage to literary icon Sylvia Plath’s poem, 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 Casey Dayan. The release 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 of 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. happiness is easy is out on August 16th, and will be proceeded by the band’s headlining U.S. tour.
Under The Rug, an Austin-based indie band, has created a heartfelt musical journey over the past decade. Led by vocalist and guitarist Casey Dayan, guitarist Sean Campbell, and drummer Brendan McQueeney, the band blends indie, folk, and Americana with a focus on storytelling. Known for their DIY marketing, they’ve built a dedicated fan base through handwritten letters and their membership service, The Secret Hideout. Praised by American Songwriter, Rolling Stone India, and Atwood Magazine, and endorsed by The Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle, they’ve made waves with their Junior LP, Homesick For Another World, and their viral hit “Lonesome and Mad.” With their upcoming release, happiness is easy, and a headlining US tour, Under The Rug is set to continue their success.
Under The Rug’s latest release, “mad girl’s love song,” and their upcoming collection happiness is easy, highlight the band’s continued evolution and dedication to their craft. Through poignant nods to Plath’s work, the band delivers a powerful exploration of identity, expectation, and the pursuit of happiness. As they gear up for their headlining US tour and August part 1 album release, Under The Rug remains a force to be reckoned with in the indie music scene. Stream “mad girl’s love song” on all platforms, catch Under The Rug at one of their US tour dates, and keep up to date with the band via their website UnderTheRugMusic.com, and Instagram @UnderTheRugMusic.
