Austin-based indie rock band Under the Rug recently wrapped up their 2024 tour with a show at Chicago’s Beat Kitchen. In an electrifying and heartfelt performance, the band’s latest album, happiness is easy =), came to life. Before the show, I was lucky enough to join the VIP experience, which proved to be as intimate as it was unexpected. Since their debut in 2019, Under the Rug has cultivated a devoted community of fans, affectionately called the “Rug Rats.” They’re also part of an exclusive fan club, the “Hideout,” which offers early access to new releases and exclusive content. For dedicated fans, these spaces offer more than just perks; they’re a place to connect with the band and each other. In a small, dimly lit back room, around 25 fans—many of whom knew each other from online interactions or past shows—sat on the floor, chatting, sharing stories, and reconnecting with familiar faces, including some members of the band’s touring crew.
The highlight of the VIP event was an acoustic performance of “El Presidente,” a fan favorite that filled the space with raw, unfiltered energy. Leading acoustics was Casey Dayan, the band’s frontwoman and creative force. Much of the conversation in the Q&A focused on Dayan, who has been open about her recent journey of self-discovery as a transgender woman. This journey profoundly shaped the lyrics of happiness is easy =) an album that explores the complexities of self-acceptance. She says the songs capture her experiences of embracing her identity, with themes of resilience, authenticity, and the unfiltered joy that comes from being unapologetically oneself.
Without the band’s community and Casey Dayan’s personal story, happiness is easy =) might come off as a typical indie rock album—overproduced songs about late-night drives, heartache, the occasional breakdown. Some of the themes and emotions that Dayan explored in the Q&A gave weight to the songs, but if you only listen to the studio album without such explanation, the lyrics come off as repetitive and commercial. Yet the live show gave everything musical an edge and a sense of purpose that’s hard to pin down in a studio setting. Gone was the studio gloss, replaced with an urgent energy that made each track feel personal and immediate. Bassist Brad Williams, who isn’t even an official band member, delivered one of the standout moments of the night with a solo that was both unexpectedly soulful and technically impressive.
“Raindrop” stood out as the high point, but the encore, “Three-Legged Dog,” was easily the crowd favorite, bringing the show to a fervent close. In person, the band’s chemistry and Dayan’s unfiltered emotion transformed familiar tunes into something unforgettable. At the end, the band hinted at a more acoustic, folk-inspired direction for their next tour, and they have announced an album sequel, Happiness Is Easy: Part Two, on the way, with a single expected in January. If their live show was any indication, the acoustic tour could bring out something fresh for audiences when they return to Chicago next year.
