THIS year's NI Music Prize ceremony will feature the presentation of the inaugural Joe Cassidy Chrysalis Award, a cash bursary of £3,000 for an up-and-coming local artist.
The award honours the late north Belfast-born musician Joe Cassidy, frontman of indie band Butterfly Child, who formed in 1984. The group recorded sessions for John Peel in the 1990s and released four albums prior to Cassidy's death in 2021, aged 51.
butterfly child · 1st BBC Radio One John Peel Session 1992
Chicago-based Cassidy also performed with the band Assassins, was part of the Shepard Fairey project NØISE and was involved in music production and management, working with artists including Jimmy Webb and the Webb Brothers.
The award of £3,000 has been raised through the proceeds of the Hear in Heaven charity event at Chicago's Metro club, which featured performances by 42 musical artists in his honour last August.
The bursary will provide financial support to an emerging band or solo artist along with practical support through Cassidy's various industry contacts.
The application process for the award is now open at softexplosives.co.uk, with a deadline of August 31 for entries.
Cassidy's sister Frances said: “Joe was an exceptional person. He was a gifted musician, and the kindest, most thoughtful and generous brother.
"His support for fellow artists was inspirational. I am eternally grateful to have had Joe in my life, and am so proud of the beautiful soul he was and everything he achieved.
"I know he’d approve of what we are trying to do in supporting Northern Ireland-based musicians, and hope that as many artists and bands as possible will come forward to apply for the award.”
Charlotte Dryden of NI Music Prize organizers Oh Yeah said: “This will be a moving tribute, but also a reminder of how many artists like Joe over the years have made a real musical impact away from home.
"We look forward to welcoming Joe’s Belfast family and Chicago family to the NI Music Prize later this year. The funds they have raised will really help an artist or band in their development.
"From talking to sister Frances, brother Michael and his friends Sarah and Joe in Chicago, it’s clear how much Joe gave to other musicians, and so this is a really fitting way to mark his legacy.”
