ON THE SCENE
THE BEAT GOES ON
IN THE GROOVE Ahead of his gig at Mash, Miriam Balanescu sits down with artist on the rise Willie J Healey C ounting among his fans the likes of the Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner as well as Florence and the Machine – whom he has
already supported on major legs of their tours – Willie J Healey has been on the way up for a while. The Oxfordshire-born artist has three studio albums under his belt, including his latest Bunny – a breezy, funk-inflected bundle of 13 tracks, boasting the creative collaboration of Jamie T on its song Thank You . His nearly ten-year career has not been all smooth sailing so far though, with the respected label Columbia Records dropping him after just one album, People and Their Dogs (2017). Yala Records swiftly signed him, and he says working with a smaller crop of people has paid off for this music. “Many things contribute to how, when and what kind of music I make,” Willie says of the impact the switch has made on him. “Yala has been a hugely supportive label right from the beginning of us working together. I have definitely felt very free from a creative point of view.” Since then, Willie has performed on the likes of Jools Holland’s late-night show, and finally post-pandemic, able to set out on a tour of his own. “Things feel good but I’m no stats man,” Willie says. “I feel fortunate to be making music – that hasn’t changed. My shows are bigger now, and I’m lucky to support my favourite bands. Other than that, I try to focus on making things.” Bunny has a slightly unusual backstory: recorded millions of miles away, across the Atlantic Ocean and in the Big Apple. Not only that, but a free flow of musicians in and out of the studio meant on any given track, the roster of those adding backing was brand-new. “New York is great,” Willie enthuses. “The recording process was fun. I have a few good friends there now and visiting is always an enjoyable endeavour.” Added to that, Willie explains part of the inspiration behind the album name came from seeing stacks of Playboy magazines littered around the studio. Was he worried about the association? “Inspiration for me can come from anywhere,” he responds. “Bunny was also my grandmother’s nickname when she was younger. Sometimes, words or ideas appear over and over again, as if to say ‘hi, look at me’. And seeing vintage playboy magazines
3 May
Inspiration for me can come from anywhere
simple – humble I guess,” Willie notes. “I casually started teaching myself how to play guitar from watching YouTube.” And his musical philosophy? “[That’s a] tough one,” he admits. “Have fun? Make the stuff you want to hear? Don’t let other people stop you from being yourself? I don’t know.” In between his visits around the UK – including Cambridge – Willie is still plugging away at writing, flexing his muscles in other genres. He says: “I’m working on many things at once: a country album, a funk album and a metal album.”
was just one of a few things that led me to calling the album Bunny .” One of Willie’s more unlikely ongoing influences is his start in boxing, bestowing him with a fearless edge that’s come in handy when performing in front of crowds. “My dad’s cousin owned a boxing gym,” he recalls. “I was a very shy child and didn’t have much confidence. So, my parents figured it might do me some good to learn how to look after myself and to also meet new people.” Music, however, has always been his true calling. “My way into music was very
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