Willie J Healey (born 18 May 1994) is an English singer-songwriter from Oxfordshire. He has released three studio albums – People and Their Dogs (2017), Twin Heavy (2020) and Bunny (2023).

Life

Healey was born in 1994 in Carterton, Oxfordshire.[1] He went to Carterton Community College, followed by Oxford & Cherwell Valley College, where he took a music diploma.[1]

Healey began making music as a 13-year-old,[2] and is completely self-taught. Speaking about how he got into playing music, he said, "My dad and grandad both play and would always play at Christmas, and that was my main motivation to play. I wanted to play Oasis covers with them.”[1]

Healey says he was initially planning to become a boxer.[3] Before getting a recording deal, he would earn money by working with his dad as a plasterer in Carterton.[1]

Music

Healey's first album, People and Their Dogs (2017), was released on Columbia Records, however he was subsequently dropped by the label.[4] During August 2018 he supported Gaz Coombes on his UK tour. Healey recorded and released his second album Twin Heavy (2020) on Yala Records.[3]His third album Bunny was released in August 2023 and nominated for BBC 6 Music's Album Of The Year.[5]

The debut single off Bunny, Thank You, features Healey’s friend Jamie T. Healey claims that Jamie T lent him a drum machine during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, which led to the album’s more funk-based sound.[3] This was followed by the single Little Sister in April 2023, with future singles set to include Sure Feels Good and Dreams.[6]

In support the Bunny album, Healey supported Florence & the Machine on their arena tour of the UK and the Arctic Monkeys on the European leg of their 2023 tour.[7]

Healey has said that his main musical influence is Neil Young.[2]

Discography

Studio albums

  • People and Their Dogs (2017)
  • Twin Heavy (2020) UK 59
  • Bunny (2023) UK 69

EPs

  • HD Malibu (2015)
  • Saturday Night Feeling (2015)
  • Hey Big Moon (2016)
  • 666 Kill (2018)
  • Hello Good Morning (2019)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Meet Willie J Healey - the small town indie-rocker making a big splash". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  2. 1 2 "Who TF is Willie J Healey?". Clout. 2019-12-05. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  3. 1 2 3 "'I'm at my best now': Willie J Healey on success and having a fan in Alex Turner". The Independent. 2023-01-23. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  4. ↑ Dillon, Jack (2021-11-11). "Willie J Healey: 'I unashamedly want to take the world over'". Cherwell. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  5. ↑ "BBC Radio 6 Music announces its Albums of the Year".
  6. ↑ "Willie J Healey shares brand new track "Little Sister"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  7. ↑ Richards, Will (2023-01-24). "Willie J Healey teams up with Jamie T on new song 'Thank You'". NME. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
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