Step in this direction

CLIMB the Spiral Stairs to indie-rock heaven next week when a US legend of the genre drops in to Hobart.

Spiral Stairs is the solo moniker of Californian musician Scott Kannberg, who is best known as the guitarist and occasional singer and songwriter for highly influential ’90s indie rock band Pavement.

Kannberg formed Pavement with his childhood friend Stephen Malkmus and they released the acclaimed 1994 album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain.

When Pavement split up in 1999 Kannberg formed a new band, the Preston School of Industry, who released three albums over the following five years.

Members of the group also appeared on Kannberg’s first official solo release as Spiral Stairs, the 2009 album Real Feel.

The following year, Kannberg married his Australian fiancee during the Melbourne leg of Pavement’s global reunion tour, and the couple moved to Brisbane to start a family.

Now Kannberg has set off on his first Australian solo headlining tour since 2009, to promote his second Spiral Stairs album, Doris & The Daggers — which critics are describing as his best work since the days of peak Pavement.

Incorporating ’70s horns, ’80s synths and ’90s indie rock, the diverse and upbeat Doris & The Daggers features guest appearances by the likes of Matt Berninger (The National) and Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene).

In October Spiral Stairs released his latest single, Pig City, an homage to Brisbane — Kannberg’s adopted second home — which he describes as “my stab at [writing] a classic Go-Betweens song”.

Showcasing Pig City and songs from Doris & The Daggers alongside beloved Pavement and Preston School of Industry tunes, Spiral Stairs plays at the Republic Bar in North Hobart from 9pm next Thursday (December 14), supported by Ben Salter.

Tickets are $28.50 pre-sale from the venue and www.moshtix.com.au