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D.C. experimental-music mainstay Blue Sausage Infant, aka Chester Hawkins, has been nominated for a Qwartz award in France for his album Negative Space, which was his first-ever vinyl release after years of distributing music in much less formal ways. I called it “a vital document of D.C.’s noise scene” when I reviewed it last summer, but it’s also the kind of record that can appeal to listeners who aren’t totally familiar with experimental music. The prolific Hawkins announced in December that he’s got another album in the works, one that will be “a bit more violent, self-indulgent, and stompy this time.”
Update: I asked Hawkins for any extra information he could provide about the Qwartz awards. Here’s what he sent:
I’m not entirely clear on the details myself, but it looks like the entire event covers three days and includes awards-presentation, live performances and a marketplace for labels & musicians to sell wares, network, etc. There are some youtube clips online of previous Qwartz events and it looks incredible.
Hawkins added that the nomination gives him and Jeff Surak—who performs as Violet and also founded Zeromoon Records, which released Negative Space—”a fine excuse to bring the gear and do a mini Euro-tour … It would be my first time playing over there, so it’s great fun.”