Willie J. Healey

Healey was born in 1995 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]

Healey's first album, People and Their Dogs (2017), was released on Colombia Records, however he was subsequently dropped by the label.[4] Healey recorded and released his following two albums, Twin Heavy (2020) and Bunny (2023) on Yala Records.[3]

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]

In support the Bunny album, Healey supported Florence & the Machine at the O2 Arena in London, and the Arctic Monkeys on the European leg of their 2023 tour.[5]

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

Studio albums

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

EPs

• 666 Kill (2018)