John Wallace & The Notions – Figuring Out (2026)
After over a decade playing the drums, from a mad crash to a steady beat, John Wallace steps out and takes the stage front and centre. With a microphone in his hand and a soaring song sailing from his lips to our ears, Wallace joins Cian Doolan (guitar), Dan Pearson (bass), Graeme Stapleton (drums), and Peter Flynn (piano), forming John Wallace & The Notions. Already hitting the stage with eagerness at 2025’s Kilkenny Roots Festival, the Kilkeeny-based lads gave audiences a taste of their indie-rock/Americana sound. Next month, the quintet will release their debut single, ‘Figuring Out’. Join us as we give you a bit of a taster of the track.
I might say the track has a simplistic charm to it, but that’s not entirely true. While a blend of steady drums, bass, guitar and peeping piano weaves in a blues-fed, rock-influenced, full-bodied melody, its soothing nature gives it an aloof but intimate tone. Doolan’s guitar solo oozes with a sexy blues sound before slipping into the rhythmic groove. No, the melody is weighty and bold, but for some reason, there is a cinematic, intricate execution allowing you to almost touch the music while still being lost in a sparse soundscape.
While the lads sweep across with their instruments, Wallace’s vocals dance across with deliberate vulnerability and tender fragility. Yet, the tender, seemingly melancholy track is actually empowering and comforting; an old friend leading the way on an empty road with his warm smile. In fact, it is this teetering across fragility and strength that captures the core of ‘Figuring Out’. Wallace explains:
“‘Figuring Out’ is about trying to make sense of where you’re at in life, and learning to be okay with not having all the answers.”
As the debut single from John Wallace & The Notions, ‘Figuring Out’ is a soothing but chilling song that I truly enjoy. My one concern for Wallace and his crew is that this debut is the peak. Will their next track meet expectations, or will it leave us wanting? For now, let’s just enjoy ‘Figuring Out’.
‘Figuring Out’ will be released on May 15th.
Find out more about John Wallace & The Notions on their Facebook, Instagram and Soundcloud.
