Hello and welcome to episode 173 of the ACPG Podcast.
This week Ben is zooming with the delightful Willie J Healey. They talk about his new album Bunny, touring with the Arctic Monkeys and Jamie T, working with Yala records and more.
Thank you to Jay for setting up the interview. And thank you to Willie for his time and rearranging time for a clash in Ben's diary.
We have a special artist in Willie and, as I mention, new album ‘Bunny’ is something of a new dawn for him. Recorded in NYC with producer Loren Humphrey (Florence + The Machine, Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey) he stepped out of his comfort zone, pushed himself to be more honest with what he wanted to do, and ultimately discovered that there was a freedom to be found in embracing that honesty. There is a maturity and warmth to the songs here, whether he’s pondering the cost of ambition (‘Dreams’) or revisiting themes of love (‘Sure Feels Good’), contentment (‘Woke Up Smiling’) and appreciation (‘Thank You’). It’s the sound of Willie at the happiest he’s been in a while, and I think this comes from being able to strike a perfect balance between determination to create what he wants, and knowing when to accept that – whatever style of album he makes – it will always have signposts to the parts of himself that he can’t change.
Sliding into new musical territory, he welcomes hypnotic grooves, gospel harmonies and brass flourishes to support his own organic, understated falsetto. Fusing soul, rock and R&B, ‘Bunny’ is Willie J Healey waking up a dormant side of his musical world and rolling with it.
ACPG 017: Nick Helm - Comedian Songwriter - talks song writing for TV shows, cramming detail into short songs, and how to start the song writing process
ACPG 016: Kathryn Williams - Artist - talks song writing for yourself vs. others, song writing classes and stage fright
ACPG 015: Pete Dale (Part 2) - Musician & Ex label Owner - talks vinyl, the costs of releasing a single, and the time involved in running a record label
ACPG 014: Pete Dale (Part 1) - Musician & Ex label Owner - talks the benefits of self-releasing music, the importance of physical song releases, choosing which acts are on a label, and label identity
ACPG 013: Mark Morriss - The Bluetones - talks repartee, crowdfunding and the importance of musicians getting paid
ACPG 012: Joy Ike (Part 2) - Singer Songwriter - talks house concerts; what you need to know, how to put them on and things to watch out for.
ACPG 011: Joy Ike (Part 1) - Singer Songwriter - talks promoting yourself, how much to share, and what exactly are house concerts
ACPG 010: Mr B - The Gentleman Rhymer - talks creating and living a persona, DIY management and tailored merchandise
ACPG 009: Nicola Milan - Vocal Coach - talks breathing, placing your muscles, vocal tone and conveying emotion
ACPG 008: Mark Duffett (Part 2) - Chester University - talks being a star, being a fan, entertaining people, ideas and values and collaboration.
ACPG 007: Mark Duffett (Part 1) - Chester University - talks tradition, consistent image, being memorable, playing your audience as an instrument and using your music.
ACPG 006: Roddy Woomble - Idlewild - talks support slots, middle men, and having a creative space
ACPG 005: Sari Delmar - Concord Music Group - talks how to promote your music, publicists, having a story and vision, and being unique
ACPG 004: Ross Millard (Part 2) - The Futureheads - talks set lists, recording, external perspectives, record labels and being allowed to fail
ACPG 003: Ross Millard (Part 1) - The Futureheads - talks learning guitar, forming a band, practice, being honest and band manifestos.
ACPG 002: Mark Radcliffe - BBC Radio - talks radio, demos and Glastonbury
ACPG 001: Paul Smith - Maximo Park - talks song writing, stage craft and image
ACPG 000: Introductory Episode - Ben and James - discuss what the podcast is all about
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