INTERVIEW: TaLLLon discuss origins and influences alongside new single ‘Go Back Again’

For Galway alternative rock outfit TaLLLon, looking back has become inseparable from moving forward. Formed through the city’s School of Rock programme in 2023, the young four-piece have quickly developed a sound that brings post-grunge weight together with soaring indie-rock melodies and emotionally direct songwriting.

Their latest single, ‘Go Back Again’, captures the longing to revisit the people, relationships and simpler moments that gradually disappear as life changes. Driven by muscular guitars, atmospheric synths and thunderous rhythms, the track emerged from a riff guitarist and vocalist Liam Carroll carried with him for months before the band collectively transformed it into a finished song.

The release carries particular poignancy following the loss of TaLLLon’s close friend and drummer Adam Nagajek to cancer in October 2025. Adam’s original drum performance remains on ‘Go Back Again’, making the recording an enduring part of the musical journey they began together.

With debut EP Found and Forgotten on the horizon, we caught up with TaLLLon to discuss the memories behind ‘Go Back Again’, their collaborative songwriting process, honouring Adam’s legacy and continuing the future they had envisioned together.

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What was the first rock song or artist that made an impact on you?

Liam- I got my passion to learn guitar from hearing exo politics and knights of cydonia by muse.

Eoin- I would have to say Chop Suey by System of a Down. I had just never heard something so chaotic yet beautiful and it really peaked my interest. System as a whole was one of the first bands I really got into and is still one of my favourites to this day. 

Cian- The first time music made a real impact on me was when mom brought me to go see Green Day at the Hella Mega tour in Dublin in 2022 with Weezer and Fallout Boy. That is when i found my style of music ,that concert it just made me fall in love with music and want to be a musician

Ultan- The exact moment I began wanting to play guitar was when my dad put on Nevermind by Nirvana in the house, more specifically the song Territorial Pissings. 

It was soon after I was completely obsessed with rock and got my first guitar.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences within the rock genre?

Liam- I’d be most influenced by the likes of again muse then weezer, thin Lizzy, hum and deftones also play a big role in how and what I write 

Eoin- Tool, Slipknot, System of a Down, Metallica are a few bands that really influence me when it comes to making music, especially when it comes to writing drum parts. Joey Jordinson and Danny Carey are two of my favourite drummers.

Cian- For me it would have to be Green Day, Thin Lizzy and Sum41 are bands I listen to, that’s where  I gain most of my inspiration to write my bass lines. 

Ultan- I am hugely inspired by the Smashing Pumpkins, Pantera, Black Sabbath, Gojira and so much more.

Are there any non-rock musicians or genres that have also influenced your music?

Liam- For me personally I quite like artists like Dominic Fike LCD soundsystem and Alex G 

Eoin- I wont lie, I love to throw on some classical music from time to time. Even today, you can hear a lot of classical influence in rock and metal music.

Cian- Me personally I’m big into Empire of the Sun, Massive attack and Daft punk, they were artists that I was into before I ever learned an instrument. 

Ultan- I absolutely adore a lot of soul and RnB such as Marvin Gaye, Barry White and Earth Wind & Fire and I am big into musicals.

What is your main inspiration when looking to write new music?

Liam- Just in whatever I’m listening to at the time or if I notice something that reminds me of and idea or reading something can all give me ideas or little bits of inspiration to write stuff

Eoin- My main inspiration when writing songs is to create something that I love deeply while also hopefully creating something that others might enjoy. I always try to make music that is original even when drawing inspiration from other musicians, but it always has to be something that I enjoy playing.

Cian- For me it could be anything, depending on who i am listening to at the time ,I could be listening to Green day and then I’d try to write a Mike Dirnt style bass line, it’s the same if I’m listening to Metallica or any band. 

Ultan- Much similar to everyone else, it has to do a lot with who I’m listening to at the time. I also like writing parts that are enjoyable for me to play, that’s one of the most important things to me. Also realising what elements of other songs I enjoy and trying to incorporate that into parts.

What do you enjoy most about performing live and do you have any memorable live performance experiences you’d like to share?

Liam- I just like giving people a way to enjoy themselves and have fun. Music I feel brings people together and no one can live without it. Some memorable moments have been when we first played outside of the country and played at gigs such like rebellion festival in Blackpool or momentum festival in oranmore were such incredible feats for us and other recent gig in places such as the roisin dubh most recently at split the bill or before that when we first played at Monroes main stage were just so fun and had such great crowds

Eoin- Best thing about playing live for me is the energy and chaos that a good crowd can bring and also just that raw thrill of playing a banger live gig.

Cian- The best thing about playing live is seeing people enjoy themselves jumping, moshing and expressing themselves in a safe environment, even making people forget about their problems for a short amount of time it brings real joy to me. 

Ultan- The part I enjoy the most about playing live is the adrenaline of being on stage and the reactions from the crowd. Its just so great to see people having fun and you’re the reason.

What has been a particularly rewarding moment in your musical journey so far?

Liam- Getting to play outside of the country for sure

Eoin- My most rewarding moment would have to be our first tour abroad. To experience playing our own original music in another country for a whole new audience was just amazing and definitely something I would love to do again

Cian- My most rewarding moment would be the crowd singing to our first ever single. We released memories, for us to be able to touch so many people with that song and they come to our shows and shout it at the top of their lungs. It’s just a very special experience. 

Ultan- Definitely playing outside the country, before that I’d say being on stage and seeing people sing the songs. It’s great seeing that people can relate to the music and it’s a form of expression for them.

How would you define success as a musician?

Liam- Having people enjoy your music is enough to feel a small bit of success because it’s for that very reason I write music, not just for myself but for people to enjoy.

Eoin- I would say that success as a musician, for me, would be if even just one person enjoys your music. If you can create something that other people can enjoy and relate to, you’re pretty much there already.

Cian- I would say success as a musician would be if you’re playing in front of a crowd and if  even if just 10 people liked us, that’s s10 new people who might come to our next gig and listen to our music, that’s success to me. 

Ultan- To me, success is about being happy where you are in your career whether that being playing to 10 or to 1000 people, as long as you’re happy with it.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?

Liam- Go for it. Learn from your mistakes. There’s no harm in trying something new. Playing in front of people can be really nerve wrecking at first but you soon begin to enjoy it once you see everyone just enjoying themselves not caring about anything but having fun listening to music. 

Eoin- Start small, build a following, play local gigs (even if to not very many people), and most importantly, never stop.

Cian- Just go for it, get out there, play your fist gig, release your first song, every gig is a learning curve and if you make a mistake when playing  live the crowd most likely didn’t hear it they are there to enjoy the gig not judge you. 

Ultan- Be yourself and don’t rush things. Rushing things is the easiest way to make mistakes so take things easy. And keep it going

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Listen to TaLLLon’s new single ‘Go Back Again’ below.