Unlettered

Unlettered, the innovative post-punk project spearheaded by multi-instrumentalist Mike Knowlton, is thrilled to announce the release of their new album, Five Mile Point, set to be released on November 22. To celebrate the announcement, the band is sharing the album’s lead single, “She Is Inside You,” which is available now on all streaming platforms.

Regarding the single, Knowlton reflects, “'She Is Inside You' explores the fine line between holding onto memories and being trapped by them. When a loved one is gone, we often cling to their belongings, hoping to keep them close. But when do cherished mementos become emotional baggage? This song digs into the burden of sentimental hoarding and the freedom found in letting go.”

With roots in the vibrant 90s NYC experimental music scene, Knowlton has made his mark in genre-defying bands like Gapeseed and Poem Rocket. Unlettered channels an unholy trinity of influences—Polvo, Sonic Youth, and Lungfish—creating a sonic landscape that navigates a chaotic world through detuned, driving post-punk anthems.

With three EPs already under its belt, Unlettered has garnered acclaim for its dark, hypnotic sound. The project’s new LP, Five Mile Point, welcomes Knowlton’s wife, Kelly Grimm, as a collaborator. Knowlton conjures fuzzed-out rhythms and swirling, angular melodies while they both lyrically unpack themes of transition, loss, and melancholy—a poignant exploration of the human experience.

Nestled in the indie rock hinterlands of Southwest Florida—a region overrun by flip-flop-wearing, parrothead singer-songwriters—Knowlton and Grimm have carved out their own artistic sanctuary. How does one survive in such a music backwater? By locking themselves in Knowlton’s studio, firing up Logic Pro, turning up the gain, unleashing a cacophony coaxed from vintage instruments and meticulously refining each song down to its essence. In this way, Unlettered emerges not just as a musical project, but as a vital coping mechanism—a testament to creativity's resilience in the face of isolation.

Unlettered is also contributing two songs to the forthcoming compilation Meat Whiplash Collected/Contextualized on Silver Girl Records. The covers of “Always Sunday” and “Eat Me to the Core” are important contributions to reawakening the musical legacy of the ‘80s band from East Kilbride, Scotland.

Beyond their musical endeavors, Grimm is a professional Art Appraiser and Auctioneer, while Knowlton is a partner at Campfire, where he creates award-winning immersive experiences for entertainment brands like Amazon Prime Video, AMC Networks, HBO, Hulu, and Peacock.