If it’s true that good things come to those who wait then Willie J Healey is due for greatness. The indie-funk artist has quietly been chipping away at the music industry for the past decade. But now, with all his ducks in a row, Healey is ready for recognition. At this present moment, though, he and I are trying to wangle our way into a private dining room in a London restaurant for some peace and quiet. One white lie from the sympathetic waitress to her manager and we’re in. Luckily, Healey is dressed the part. The Oxfordshire-born artist is wearing a smart jacket and black trousers; his red hair is slicked back. Shiny black cowboy boots peek out from underneath his hem.
The indie-funk artist is no newbie. Healey, 28, has two records already under his belt and his third forthcoming album is his most refined yet. Due in August, Bunny merges his juicy, 1970s-style guitar music with his previously unexplored love of funk. In a few weeks, Healey will complete his support slots at the O2 with Florence + The Machine, and this summer, he will accompany the Arctic Monkeys on the European leg of their tour. Finally, it feels like the hype is catching him up. “I think I’m at my best now.”
