Q&A: Willie J Healey

Q&AMusic

Sep 19

☆ By Henry Ager ☆

SURGING WITH PERSONALITY, DEPTH AND HIS SUPERB SONG WRITING, Willie J Healey’s second album, Twin Heavy, has got it all. It’s fresh and experimental, whilst incorporating his signature sound heard in previous releases. As always with a WJH creation the production, instrumental and vocal elements could not complement each other better, whilst also being paired with a well-blended mix of emotions and tone.

Though only recorded in a matter of weeks at Echo Zoo Studios in Eastbourne, the project highlights Healey’s attention to detail and intricate flow. Effortlessly moving from sounds of garage rock to psychedelia, Healey knows no bounds of genres and continues to bring something fresh to his listener. Take a listen to the album yourself and learn all about Twin Heavy and more below.

LUNA: What themes have you explored during the writing of Twin Heavy?

HEALEY: All sorts, mostly nostalgia; joy, lust, anger, memories of being younger, the want to move forward, and as always the immovable fast approaching fear of doom... forever edging closer to all of us.

LUNA: Twin Heavy was recorded with Loren Humphreys producing the record. What was it like having him involved with the record?

HEALEY: Life changing, Loren did an amazing job. we didn’t have a lot of time to work within. We also just hit it off very early on! credit to him, his love for detail and all things legit is what shaped the sound.

LUNA: There is a big sonic leap from People and Their Dogs to Twin Heavy- what were some of the elements you were most drawn to when making Twin Heavy?

HEALEY: Well, it was a live album. we had so much more fun playing and experimenting with tape and different equipment than we have had before, I’m very grateful to yala! records for giving us a chance to grow!

LUNA: Can you talk a little bit about the creative process behind “True Stereo” and the music video behind it?

HEALEY: Well, my friend Casper miles had just given me his baritone guitar to borrow.. i instantly felt inspired and wrote true stereo among with a couple of others in about an hour.

HEALEY: The video was Joe Wheatley’s idea, just a lot of fun to make and a pretty wild trip. I guess the moral could be that we are all our own worst enemies sometimes!

LUNA: You’ve previous mentioned that during lockdown you’ve been painting fish, doing Q&As, online performances and made a group chat for your fans. Do you feel it’s been a good time to connect with them?

HEALEY: I guess so, in a weird way. Id rather be playing live shows but its nice that we can still connect, even if just online.

LUNA: Each EP and album you release has a different sound and feel, in particular 666 Kill. It is more sombre and focuses on darker subjects than other releases. Do you think this is a product of how you wrote the EP in a quick and uncensored way?

HEALEY: Yes, i set out to do something that was unforgiving and un edited. I was also very angry and frustrated at the time. I really just made that EP as a way to let off energy and express my feelings at the time. I did it for me really!

LUNA: Do you like each album and EP to be a different exploration into a particular sound and themes?

HEALEY: Hmm.. I suppose so, I always feel like i've achieved something if people comment on how each release is slightly different. Maybe its something i do subconsciously?

LUNA: There’s a lot going on and so much is unpredictable these days but do you have an upcoming goals or plans you’d like to share?

HEALEY: More music, I've been busy writing and i'd like to share what i can when i can!!

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“It’s an album where you can bop, you can groove, you can move, it’s definitely something you could listen to in the car. Or an album that you play when you’re taking a shower or making love. I very much want it to be a lifestyle project. But really there’s only so much an artist can do, it’s up to the listener how they interpret it, or where they take it. All I can do is just create it.” - Duckwrth on ‘Supergood’ ⚡️ ⭐️ A blend of soulful seventies with his signature rap flow, ‘Supergood’ takes Duckwrth’s sound to the next level. Read the feature with Duckwrth on our site now - link in bio 💥💥💥

Kari Faux by @quillemons for our 13th Issue ✨ Thank you for all of the love for this issue we’re so happy to finally share with y’all! 🗣 Make sure you order your print copy asap as the first batch has already sold out - link in bio!

Issue 13 is OUT ⭐️ Our best issue yet featuring cover star Kari Faux + Alfie Templeman, MICHELLE, Spencer., Samone Zena + photos by Donée Buetessa, Zachary Francois, Logan Delaney, Darrell Jackson, Athena Merry, Andrea Riba, Jonathan Roensch & our audience ✨ 💌 20% of proceeds from print copy orders placed this week will be split between The Loveland Foundation & the Black Image Center Fundraiser. Link to the digital copy & to order a print copy in our bio - have fun checking this one out it’s fire xx