Watch: Ardara singer-songwriter releases ‘hilarious’ music video for new single

Ardara's folk-rock singer-songwriter JP Kennedy has released a music video for his latest single ‘Highway Star’. 

The clip follows the misadventures of JP and actor Danny Georgiou playing incompetent highwaymen. “It is a tongue-in-cheek take on the song’s tale of a Highwayman’s escape from prison to teach his son the family thieving trade,” JP Kennedy tells DonegalLive. “From shop hold-ups gone wrong to Covid era references, the loosely cast father and son present one laugh-out-loud scene after another.”

Filmed in Cyprus, the video also features a cast of colourful supporting characters. Among those starring are JP’s parents Connell and Maria from Ardara.

The other musicians on the song are all from Donegal such as Ciaran Crossan of Ballyshannon on electric guitar, Brian Cannon of Leitirmacaward on fiddle, and Paul Collum of Ardara on drums. ‘Highway Star’ also features the distinctive sound of the jew’s harp. 

The video was directed by Christopher Georgiou, brother of actor Danny. Christopher also directed the video of JP’s debut single ‘Clementine (Oh My Darlin’ Drinks Moonshine)’ which has attracted over 20,000 views. Eagle-eyed viewers will spot Cornelia who played JP’s love interest Clementine, making a return as his drunken wife in the ‘Highway Star’ video. 

Like ‘’Clementine’, ‘Highway Star’ is taken from JP’s upcoming debut EP ‘Moonshine’. His last single ‘Vaudevillian Rose’ which has a fun video of its own, will also feature on the EP.

“Christopher did such a good job directing the Clementine video that I knew I had to work with him again,” the singer said. “Highway Star was the perfect opportunity because, like Clementine, the song tells a story. I knew he would be able to bring a comical twist to the tale, and I’m delighted with the result. Hopefully, everyone will have a laugh watching it.

"Like the other songs I've written for my upcoming concept EP and album, ‘Highway Star’ has a Wild West theme. My Great-Grandfather Con Kennedy ran saloons when he emigrated to New Mexico and Arizona for 20 years. I was inspired by stories in old newspaper articles of that time that I tracked down."

‘Highway Star’ was produced by fellow artist Aisling Jarvis, the daughter of Donegal’s Moya Brennan. Aisling is a touring member of Clannad and in the electronic duo BANYAH with her brother Paul, who plays bass on ‘Highway Star’.