Under The Rug make the best of a bad situation in their new indie-pop single and video Laugh A Lot — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The second preview single from Part 1 of the Austin band’s upcoming two-part album Happiness Is Easy, Laugh A Lot is a tongue-in-cheek anthem that juxtaposes the levity of existence amongst life’s looming anxieties and horrors, capturing the profound beauty found in life’s most challenging moments. The tune is a testament to the band’s ability to find light in the darkest of places, resonating with anyone who has found humour amid hardship.
“So many times I’ve woken up into the worst parts of my life and laughed, and I think that’s beautiful somehow. That tension, between the awfulness and the laughing,” singer-guitarist Casey Dayan reveals. “I was once a closeted trans person in a motel where I was made to do things I didn’t want to. I remember staring at a roach on a lamp, its little antennae kind of waving mundanely, like it was saying hello or goodnight. In that moment, that cockroach was as good a friend to me as any — and isn’t that sweet? How something we usually consider to be so bad could also be so good?”
This unexpected solace highlights how something typically seen as unfavourable can hold a surprising sweetness. Dayan recalls an emotional drive home, where tears turned to laughter at the absurdity and spectacle of it all. The single artfully navigates the tension between strength and self-pity, celebrating the dance between joy and sorrow and ultimately embracing life’s rich, multifaceted nature.
Fittingly, Happiness Is Easy is set to explore themes of joy, resilience, and the human experience. The album, featuring contributions from co-writers like Sam Hollander (Panic! At The Disco, Weezer) and Mason Jennings, alongside the expert production of David Peters, promises to be a poignant and insightful examination of life and happiness.
Over the past decade, Dayan, guitarist Sean Campbell and drummer Brendan McQueeney have masterfully blended indie, folk, and Americana with a strong emphasis on storytelling. Known for their DIY approach, they’ve cultivated a dedicated fan base through handwritten letters and their exclusive membership service The Secret Hideout. Their acclaimed LP Homesick For Another World and the single Lonesome and Mad have further solidified their reputation. With their upcoming release and a tour on the horizon, Under The Rug are poised to continue their remarkable success and touch even more hearts with their genuine and evocative music.
Watch the video for Laugh A Lot above, hear more from Under The Rug and check out their tour dates below, and have a laugh with them on their website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Under The Rug Tour Dates
Aug. 29 | Valley Bar | Phoenix, AZ
Aug. 31 | Venice West | Los Angeles, CA
Sept. 1 | Soda Bar | San Diego, CA
Sept. 6 | Brick & Mortar | San Francisco, CA
Sept. 7 | Goldfield Trading Post | Sacramento, CA
Sept. 9 | Madame Lou’s | Seattle, WA
Sept. 10 | The Showdown | Portland, OR
Sept. 12 | Kilby Court | Salt Lake City, UT
Sept. 13 | The Coast | Fort Collins, CO
Sept. 14 | Black Buzzard | Denver, CO
Sept. 17 | Blueberry Hill | St. Louis, MO
Sept. 19 | 7th Street | Minneapolis, MN
Sept. 20 | Beat Kitchen | Chicago, IL
Sept. 21 | The Sanctuary | Detroit, MI
Sept. 25 | Healer | Indianapolis, IN
Sept. 26 | Shank Hall | Milwaukee, WI
Sept. 27 | The Basement | Columbus, OH
Sept. 28 | Beachland Tavern | Cleveland, OH
Sept. 29 | Club Cafe | Pittsburgh, PA
Oct. 2 | The Rockwell | Boston, MA
Oct. 3 | Knitting Factory | New York, NY
Oct. 4 | Silk City | Philadelphia, PA
Oct. 5 | Pie Shop | Washington, DC
Oct. 8 | Cannery | Row One | Nashville, TN
Oct. 9 | Eddie’s Attic | Atlanta, GA
Oct. 10 | Evening Muse | Charlotte, NC
Oct. 11 | Royal American | Charleston, SC
Oct. 17 | Sundown at Granada | Dallas, TX
Oct. 19 | Mohawk | Austin, TX
