Ardara musician JP Kennedy releases new single inspired by Native American history

The upbeat folk-rock track takes its name from a Native American battle cry used to signal strength, unite warriors and intimidate enemies.

The song tells the story of Chief Red Cloud, who led the only major war won by Native Americans against US Army encroachment during the 19th century.

Ardara native Kennedy said he was inspired to write the song while working on his upcoming Wild West-themed album, Road to Jerome.

To view the official video to the new single on YouTube, click below

“I’d been writing a bunch of cowboy songs for my upcoming Wild West-themed album, Road to Jerome, and wanted to include one from the Native American perspective,” he said.

“I learned about Red Cloud’s War, a two-year armed conflict in the 1860s fought between the United States military and an alliance of Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne and Northern Arapaho tribes. I was inspired by their remarkable story of victory against the odds.

“Then I discovered the ‘Hokahey’ chant from the Lakota Sioux language, broadly meaning ‘Let’s do it!’ or ‘Let’s go men!’, and knew it had to be the name of the song. In modern culture, ‘Hokahey’ is often interpreted to mean, ‘Today is a good day to die.’”

Featuring warm fiddle melodies, tribal drums and an infectious pace, the song combines radio-friendly folk-rock with themes of resilience, cultural identity and spiritual endurance.

The track forms part of a broader concept album inspired by stories passed down through Kennedy’s family.

The album draws on tales from his great-grandfather, Con Kennedy, who ran saloons in Winslow, Arizona, and Gallup, New Mexico, in the late 19th century before returning to Ireland.

For the music video, Kennedy enlisted the help of cultural re-enactors from the Old West Pioneers club in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany.

“The club preserves and celebrates the traditional lifestyles and customs of the historical American frontier, specifically focusing on cowboys, Native Americans and trappers,” he said.

“It proved the ideal place to film an eclectic mix of characters and secure footage that captures the spirit of the track.”

The song and video reflect the energetic live performances that have helped build Kennedy’s growing reputation. Blending rock influences with Celtic and western storytelling, he has previously supported Australian Celtic rock band The Rumjacks and Canadian group The Mahones on tour.

Hokahey was produced by fellow Irish artist Aisling Jarvis, a member of electronic sibling duo BANYAH and a touring musician with Clannad.

Kennedy, a native of Ardara, is a graduate of Ballyfermot Rock School in Dublin and the University of Popular Music and Music Business in Mannheim, Germany.

After previously fronting a German-based rock band, he launched a solo career, busking in Heidelberg before performing at festivals and venues across Germany.

His debut solo album, Road to Jerome, is due for release later this year.

Hokahey is available now on all major streaming platforms.