In an era where algorithms increasingly influence creative decisions and genres are treated as marketing tools, Wynton Existing continues to operate on instinct rather than expectation. The Tennessee-based psychedelic garage rock outfit has never shown much interest in fitting neatly into a category, instead embracing a sound that shifts effortlessly between gritty blues, garage rock, psychedelia, alternative rock, and raw emotional storytelling. Their latest single, “Read Between The Lines,“ is perhaps the clearest reflection yet of that artistic philosophy, pairing heavy, blues-infused instrumentation with lyrics that reveal deeply personal truths while leaving enough space for listeners to find their own.
More than just another single, “Read Between The Lines” marks an important emotional milestone for frontman Wynton. Beneath its hypnotic riffs and spoken-word passages lies a story of unresolved pain, self-validation, and finally finding the courage to voice experiences that had long remained unspoken. Rather than offering straightforward explanations, the song invites listeners to interpret its meaning through their own experiences, transforming deeply personal emotions into something strikingly universal. It’s a reminder that some of the most powerful songwriting doesn’t provide all the answers, but instead encourages reflection between the words left unsaid.
That sense of authenticity has always been central to Wynton Existing’s identity. Since the band’s early days, their music has rejected commercial formulas in favor of artistic freedom, allowing every release to evolve naturally rather than conform to audience expectations. Whether drawing inspiration from blues traditions, psychedelic experimentation, or the raw energy of underground rock, the band continues to prioritize emotional truth over genre labels. Their refusal to be creatively boxed in has become one of their defining strengths, resonating with listeners who value music that feels lived-in rather than manufactured.
Now entering a new chapter as a fully realized band, Wynton Existing has grown well beyond the foundations laid on their previous album, Sexual Death. With a stronger collective identity, a more mature sonic direction, and an expanding creative vision, the group is preparing to unveil not only a new album but also an ambitious music video for “Read Between The Lines,” set to premiere during a SPIN Magazine event. It’s another step forward for a band that continues to build momentum while remaining fiercely independent and unapologetically true to itself.
In this exclusive interview, Wynton opens up about the emotional release behind “Read Between The Lines,” the influence of blues and East Coast rock on the band’s evolving sound, the importance of embracing imperfection, the unpredictable energy of their live performances, and why authenticity remains the only measure of success that truly matters. It’s an honest and insightful conversation with an artist who believes the greatest achievement isn’t fitting into the industry, but creating work that speaks the truth while there’s still time to say it.
Congratulations on the release of your new single, “Read Between The Lines.” What emotions are you experiencing now that the song is finally out in the world, and what does this release mean to the band?
Wynton: I suppose I feel pretty good. There’s certain themes in this song, especially in the spoken word, where I speak out my truth, in my own way, regarding things from my old life I haven’t publicly addressed much. Feeling invalidated by a happening in my past, and instead of addressing it head on I just kind of bounced and moved to another state, but it still seeped through into my art. It feels good to say my peace out loud. Like I can now truly let go. Move on. Let’s go with the word cathartic.
“Read Between The Lines” introduces a heavier, blues-infused sound while maintaining your signature style. What inspired this musical direction, and how did it come together in the studio?
I am originally from Pennsylvania & performed along the east coast growing up. The music has a bit of an ‘east coast edge’ I call it. When I first started learning guitar I had a blues guitar teacher, so that occasionally makes an appearance, but for this song specifically I think about Jack White, and a band I used to share a lot of bills with that’s no longer a project, People’s Blues of Richmond. They were bluesy, heavy, psychedelic at times, I would say I channeled a bit of their energy into this song, before I properly got into bands like Black Angels & All Them Witches.
The song’s title invites listeners to look beyond what’s being said. What inspired the concept behind “Read Between The Lines,” and what conversations were you hoping it would spark?
I mentioned earlier a lot of the lyrics stem from an invalidation I experienced, yet I did not elaborate. Not because I am ashamed, but because the song is worded in a way where people can find their own lines to read between. For me I think the lyrics stem around success vs. authenticity. I would rather be my authentic self than to have a career pretending to be someone I’m not.
Wynton Existing has never been a band that’s easy to place into one genre. Do you see that as one of your greatest strengths, and how has it shaped your identity as artists?
I was just telling someone the other day, it’s interesting how when you’re an upcoming artist properly labeling your genre seems important, yet once you’re a success the label no longer matters and you can do whatever you want. Well, I suppose I prefer to make my ‘successful art’ now. I have been going with the label “psychedelic garage rock” for a long while & sometimes it is, sometimes it’s definitely not. So now I throw the occasional ‘Alternative’ tag on there, because anything can be alternative. All I know is success is in the eye of the beholder and I am going to make the music I am most passionate about right now, call it what you will. Mongolian Crunckcore.
Your live performances are known for their intensity and unpredictability. How important is improvisation to the band’s chemistry, and has it ever led to unexpected moments that influenced your songwriting?
We often record our rehearsals & sometimes when I listen back I’ll be like ‘Hey, at this timestamp you made this mistake’ and they will be like ‘Oops sorry’ and I’ll be like ‘Can you do it again, and maybe we try having the rest of the band follow it. Actually let’s do it six more times’ For the live show we definitely have our moments of spontaneity and chaos, happenings during shows that could never be planned and may never happen again. But especially when it comes to jamming live I would like to explore that more. Being able to really wander off and come back home as a band would be a thrill.
The upcoming music video for “Read Between The Lines” will premiere at a SPIN magazine event. Without giving too much away, what can fans expect from the visual experience, and how does it complement the song?
W: A few months ago we had our cameraman friend named Taco film us performing at a skatepark in Clarksville, TN and he projected the band with all these analogue psychedelic effects on a big screen in real time. It looked amazing. I asked him what it would take to do exactly that but make a music video out of it. We got to talking and now it’s all filmed, looks crazy awesome, and we are currently wrapping up the editing phase.
Your music often explores themes of perseverance, uncertainty, and self-discovery. How have your own life experiences influenced the stories you choose to tell through your songs?
W: For me the music is a channeling, sometimes I don’t know what I’m writing about until I look back on it later. In this instance, I didn’t know I needed to write down these words and say them out loud to finally let go and move on. So for me it is very direct to my life. A lot of my lyrics are like that, where they can sound metaphorical or open to interpretation but I’m really being quite literal, or at least it appears so in my head. It’s like an inside joke nobody else is in on. This song I sing about poison a good bit, I suppose I had quite a bit of poison I needed to spit out.
As a band that values artistic freedom over commercial formulas, what advice would you give to emerging musicians who are trying to stay authentic in today’s music industry?
This is no right answer for what works and what doesn’t. There is no blueprint to a successful music career. On top of that, I know plenty of successful artists who are miserable. We have chosen an impossibly difficult career path that will almost certainly involve spending more money then you may ever get back. So ask yourself: Do I need to do this?
If the answer is yes, that is all you need to know. Any type of art can work at this day and age, don’t try to do what you think works. Be the youest you, ya weirdo.
With a new album arriving soon, how would you describe this chapter of Wynton Existing compared to where the band was a few years ago?
Our last album, Sexual Death was the efforts of myself & my drummer Gavin Gates. We recorded it ourselves in our house when we lived in Clarksville, TN and worked on defining our full band sound. Now we are an actual full band with an actual developed sound. I think the musical content is more mature on this new record too. We will always be a bit goofy, but it feels good to bask in that energy.
Looking ahead, what are your biggest goals for Wynton Existing, and what legacy do you hope the band leaves on the modern rock scene?
I’m really hoping to have a team soon; booking agent, manager, PR, social media, the more time I can take to focus on the art, the more time I can spend making it. If I never wrote a song again, I still have enough in my pocket to last me the rest of my life. I would love to live off music, I would love to tour the world. But most importantly I want to make sure everything I want to say is out there, while I still have the breath to say it.
