US indie lynchpin Spiral Stairs (Scott Kannberg of Pavement) returns to Australia for a string of intimate shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane this December plus a performance at Fairgrounds Festival in Berry.

Joined by…

Melbourne – The Ocean Party & Good Morning
Sydney – Unity Floors & Shrapnel
Wollongong – Steppy-P & Enfant Terrible
Brisbane – Blank Realm & Thigh Master
Hobart – Ben Salter
Ballarat – Shifty Dunbar & Skivvy

New album Doris And The Daggers released earlier this year, is a diverse and upbeat affair, the lyrics touching upon both the happiest and saddest aspects of the human condition, and even features guest spots from luminaries such as Matt Berninger (The National) and Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene).

Doris And The Daggers is an album which showcases a whole new side to indie rock legend Scott Kannberg. It drips with a newfound sophistication without ever becoming staid, the songs and arrangements well-crafted and incorporating everything from ‘70s horns to ‘80s synths and of course flourishes of the ‘90s indie with which Spiral Stairs is so synonymous. It’s a diverse batch too, veering from the Roxy Music meets Wire slink of lead single Dance (Cry Wolf) through The Fall- esque clatter of Dundee Man to the Talking Heads-inspired faux-funk of No Comparison with consummate ease.

As strong a collection of songs to carry Spiral Stairs’ name since the halcyon days of Pavement, Doris And The Daggers showcases an artist growing both older and away from his roots gracefully, and reflects a new more mature set of influences accrued across the journey of a life well-lived.