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Willie J Healey
Healey performing at Ampere in Munich, 2024
Healey performing at Ampere in Munich, 2024
Background information
Born (1994-05-18) May 18, 1994 (age 32)
Carterton, Oxfordshire, England

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).

Early life

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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

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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

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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

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  1. 1 2 3 4 Hughes, Tim (27 April 2017). "Meet Willie J Healey - the small town indie-rocker making a big splash". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Graye, Megan (2023-01-23). "'I'm at my best now': Willie J Healey on success and having a fan in Alex Turner". The Independent. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  3. 1 2 Rogers, Kieran (2019-12-05). "Who TF is Willie J Healey?". Clout. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  4. 1 2 Almond, Grace (2020-08-09). "Willie J Healey: "If it's something I want to do then I'll keep going until the wheels fall off"". The Forty-Five. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
  5. ↑ Kean, Jon (October 26, 2017). "Interview - Willie J Healey". Louder Than War. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  6. ↑ Dillon, Jack (2021-11-11). "Willie J Healey: 'I unashamedly want to take the world over'". Cherwell. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  7. ↑ Shutler, Ali (2020-07-12). "Willie J Healey: "When I was dropped I remember thinking, 'You idiots – I'm the next Paul McCartney'"". NME. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  8. ↑ Mongredien, Phil (2023-08-19). "One to watch: Willie J Healey". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  9. ↑ Ager, Henry. "Q&A: Willie J Healey". THE LUNA COLLECTIVE. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
  10. ↑ "BBC Radio 6 Music announces its Albums of the Year". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  11. ↑ Way, Emma (2025-08-11). "Willie J Healey On Upcoming Tour And Shift In Sound For New Album". Clunk Magazine. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
  12. ↑ Kelly, Tyler Damara (19 April 2023). "Willie J Healey shares brand new track "Little Sister"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  13. ↑ Richards, Will (2023-01-24). "Willie J Healey teams up with Jamie T on new song 'Thank You'". NME. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  14. ↑ Jones, Alfie (23 April 2024). "Willie J Healey to join Idles on UK tour following new single release of the Apple whynow". whynow. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
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