A.B. ORIGINAL GETS AIR

Tonight they're supporting Ice T's rap/metal band Body Count on their first Australian tour in two decades, but next month Melbourne's own A.B. Original could be cleaning up at the annual AIR Awards. Landing five nominations in the Australian Independent Record Labels Association night of nights, A.B. Original could win Best Independent Artist, Best Independent Album (Reclaim Australia), Best Independent Single (January 26), Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year and Best Independent Hip Hop Album. Also nominated alongside A.B. Original's Briggs and Trails in the Best Independent Artist category were fellow Melburnians DD Dumbo, Alex Lahey and Ali Barter, plus Sydney's Flume. Another Melbourne group in Big Scary, DD Dumbo, Lahey and Ngaiire were all named with A.B. Original in the prestigious Best Independent Album category, while Julia Jacklin, Lahey, DD Dumbo or Melbourne trio Camp Cope could snatch glory in the Breakthrough Artist category. Briggs was still a toddler when Body Count unleashed their ferocious sound onto the world in 1990, soon afterwards releasing their controversial and popular self-titled debut album. Briggs, who quickly developed a taste for American rap as a young man, teamed up with Trials soon after releasing 2014's Sheplife album and early this year the pair finished 16th in the Hottest 100. The AIR Awards will be held in Adelaide on July 27. For the full list of nominees across jazz, classical, blues and roots, country, hip hop, hard rock/punk and dance/electronica, go to air.org.au

POLISH CLUB AT THE CORNER

Polish Club's second show at the Corner on Sunday, June 4, is selling quickly so if you've missed tickets for Saturday night's gig with support from Maddy Jane and Going Swimming, stop what you're doing and get organised. Polish Club's Novak (guitar) and John-Henry (drums) play at breakneck speed and have been since first bursting onto Sydney stages a couple of years ago. Debut album Alright Already was released in late March and if you've not heard it, then Where U Been? The album's cracking opening track clearly signals Novak and John-Henry's intention. Hell, these guys are in such a rush to rock they don't have time for second names. Get to the Corner. For more info go to cornerhotel.com

TEX, DON & CHARLIE

It's been a while between drinks for Tex, Don & Charlie, who released their last album All Is Forgiven a decade ago. All that changes this month with You Don't Know Lonely, a dozen tracks from one of the country's finest songwriter teams of the past quarter century. Tex (Perkins), Don (Walker) & Charlie (Owen) put out debut long player Sad But True in 1993, which sits comfortably in 2010 book The 100 Best Australian Albums. A glance through that same list reveals several of the bands Tex, Don & Charlie have been associated with over many years. The trio's new album features the song A Man in Conflict With Nature and the June 30 album release will be followed by an extensive Australian tour that includes Meeniyan Town Hall on August 25, Bendigo's Ulumbara Theatre on August 26, Thornbury Theatre on August 29 and 30, and St Kilda's Memo Music Hall on August 31 and September 2. Tickets on sale June 6. 

The June 30 album release will be followed by an extensive Australian tour.