Brighten The Corners Presents singer-songwriter Willie J Healey on Tuesday 7th May at The Baths with support from folk artist Clara Mann.
“Up ‘til now, Healey’s success has been rooted in his witty, observational lyricism, often imbued with a signature sense of angst. It’s a winning formula, and has left him with a cult fanbase consisting of some of the biggest names in alternative, from Florence Welch to Alex Turner.” Clash
-
Time: 7.30pm - 11pm
Venue: The Baths, Ipswich
Tickets: £15+bf
Supports: TBA
Age Restrictions: 14+ (14- 15s must be accompanied by an adult) -
Is Willie J Healey your favourite artists’ favourite artist? You better believe it. Alex Turner, Joe Talbot of IDLES, Jamie T and Orlando Weeks are among those who believe, most having come onboard following the Neil Young-meets-The Beatles-meets Elvis Costello charms of his 2020 album ‘Twin Heavy’. And while Willie has largely been the preserve of those in the know, that’s all about to change. When Florence Welch heard his upcoming album ‘Bunny’ via its producer, her friend Loren Humphrey, as well as through YALA! Records co-founder Felix White, she was sufficiently impressed to invite Willie and his band on this autumn’s Florence + The Machine arena tour.
If you’ve already discovered the album’s introductory track, ‘Tiger Woods’, you’ll have had a first taste of why Florence was so won over. It sees Willie dive headfirst into a style of music he has always loved, but that never previously found its way into his own songs. It’s a low-slung, sensual ‘70s-style jam which simultaneously calls to mind Sly and The Family Stone, Philly soul, ‘Midnite Vultures’-era Beck and a little OutKast.
—-
Support comes from Bristol-based folk artist Clara Mann. Clara Mann’s latest EP, Stay Open, is a collection of alt-folk ballads born from a feeling of being in perpetual transition.
Clara writes songs about the restlessness of life in your early twenties and the immense power of optimism in dark times. She feels things very acutely and cries often- when she’s happy, sad, or simply moved (by things like: the evening light over the city, a dog on the street in a nice jacket, or choral music on the radio). She finds all of these things very poignant.
Her music usually begins in her drawings, or in short fragments of written text, in which she finds the first lines of songs. Inspired by the likes of Edith Piaf, Tom Waits, and Judee Sill, Clara likes to tell stories and paint pictures, without ever giving too much away. She loves to lean into the strange and the mysterious – but never compromises on tenderness.
After a busy year of shows including support tours with Daniel Rossen (Grizzly Bear) and Skullcrusher, Clara has spent the last few months working on her debut record, with which she hopes to throw herself into her music more than ever before.