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. He went to Carterton Community College, followed by Oxford & Cherwell Valley College, where he took a music diploma.
Healey began making music as a 13-year-old, 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.”
Healey says he was initially planning to become a boxer. Before getting a recording deal, he would earn money by working with his dad as a plasterer in Carterton.
Music
Healey's first album, People and Their Dogs (2017), was released on Columbia Records, however he was subsequently dropped by the label. During August 2018 he supported Gaz Coombes on his UK tour. Healey recorded and released his second album Twin Heavy (2020) on Yala Records. His third album Bunny was released in August 2023 and nominated for BBC 6 Music's Album Of The Year.
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. This was followed by the single Little Sister in April 2023, with future singles set to include Sure Feels Good and Dreams.
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.
Healey has said that his main musical influence is Neil Young.
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
- ^ "Meet Willie J Healey - the small town indie-rocker making a big splash". Oxford Mail. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ "Who TF is Willie J Healey?". Clout. 2019-12-05. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ "'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.
- Dillon, Jack (2021-11-11). "Willie J Healey: 'I unashamedly want to take the world over'". Cherwell. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- "BBC Radio 6 Music announces its Albums of the Year".
- "Willie J Healey shares brand new track "Little Sister"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- Richards, Will (2023-01-24). "Willie J Healey teams up with Jamie T on new song 'Thank You'". NME. Retrieved 2023-04-02.