Willie J Healey
English singer-songwriter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William John Healey (born 18 May 1994) is an English singer-songwriter. Born in Oxfordshire, he has released three studio albums – People and Their Dogs (2017), Twin Heavy (2020) and Bunny (2023).
Willie J Healey | |
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Healey performing at Ampere in Munich, 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | May 18, 1994 Carterton, Oxfordshire, England |
Early life
Healey was born in 1994 in Carterton, Oxfordshire.[1][2] He attended Carterton Community College, then attended Oxford & Cherwell Valley College where he took a music diploma.[1]
Healey began making music at the age of 13,[3] 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 initially planned to become a boxer.[2][4] Before getting a recording deal, he earned money by working with his dad as a plasterer in Carterton.[1]
Career
Healey releases music under the name Willie J Healey; he stated that "'Willie Healey', as a name on its own, sounded like it needed something going on in the middle there... I feel like a bit more of a character with the 'J'."[5] His main musical influence is Neil Young.[3][4]
Healey's first album, People and Their Dogs (2017), was released on Columbia Records, however he was subsequently dropped by the label.[6][7][8] During August 2018, he supported Gaz Coombes on his UK tour. Healey recorded and released his second album Twin Heavy (2020) on Yala Records.[2][9]
His third album Bunny was released in August 2023 and nominated for BBC 6 Music's Album Of The Year.[10] Bunny's debut single, 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.[2][11] This was followed by the single Little Sister in April 2023, with future singles set to include Sure Feels Good and Dreams.[12] In support of the Bunny album, Healey supported Florence & the Machine on their 2023 arena tour of the UK, Arctic Monkeys on the European leg of their 2023 tour and Idles, on their 2024 UK tour.[13][14] 2026 he realeases an ep 143 on the V2 label
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)