Willie J Healey

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

Healey was born in 1994 in Carterton, Oxfordshire. He attended Carterton Community College, then attended Oxford & Cherwell Valley College where he took a music diploma.

Healey began making music at the age of 13, 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 initially planned to become a boxer. Before getting a recording deal, he earned money by working with his dad as a plasterer in Carterton.

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'." His main musical influence is Neil Young.

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. 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. This was followed by the single Little Sister in April 2023, with future singles set to include Sure Feels Good and Dreams. 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. 2026 he realeases an ep 143 on the V2 label

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

References

  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.