[Locals Only is a weekly feature where the Stranger Dance staff focus on the best and brightest of the San Francisco Bay Area music scene. Feel free to hit us up with any information on local bands, musicians, shows, and other music-related events and projects.]

Locals Only is a new feature here at Stranger Dance. To kick things off, here are some picks from this week’s collection of shows featuring noteworthy local bands and musicians.

All acts listed are Bay Area-based unless noted otherwise.

Tuesday, April 28th:

• The Splinters at Bottom of the Hill (with Buzzer and Brilliant Colors). 9:00 p.m., $8, 18+

The Splinters – “Splintered Bridges”

The Berkeley/Oakland Splinters represent the pinnacle of a uniquely lo-fi evening at BOTH, taking Raincoats-inspired post punk and fusing it with upbeat garage. Also on the bill: Oakland’s Buzzer (a band making a respectable tribute to the Ramones) and San Francisco’s Brilliant Colors (off-kilter and energetic).

Wednesday, April 29th:

• The Lower Class Revolt presents Grand Lake at the Knockout (with Agent Ribbons and Buildings Breeding, both from Sacramento). 9:00 p.m., $5, 21+

Grand Lake – “Concrete Blonde on Blonde”

From the depths of rustic indie folk, oblique indie pop will rise: former Port O’Brien bassist Caleb Nichols teams up with Jameson Swanagon (guitar), Ryan Parks (drums) and Erika Pipkin (keys) to make Grand Lake, a band that lovingly references Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater. The band just released Nevermint (out now on 500 Records) and are riding the high of a buzz-worthy debut album (see the recent reviews in the East Bay Express and mentions in Largehearted Boy and KEXP) by continuing in a seemingly endless string of live Bay Area shows.

Thursday, April 30th:

• David Dondero at the Make-Out Room (with Mikael Jorgensen, keyboardist/pianist for Wilco and new band Pronto, plus Obo Martin). 7:30 p.m., $10, 21+

David Dondero – “Rothko Chapel”

David Dondero’s lumbering folk takes journeys and tells stories, and simply enough, his earnest vocals and broad arrangements bring them all to life.

Friday, May 1st:

• Ryan Auffenberg at Cafe du Nord (opening for the lovely Maria Taylor, as well as Whispertown 2000, both from L.A.). 9:30 p.m., $12/advance, $14/door, 21+

Ryan Auffenberg – “Alright, Okay”

Having opened for Martha Wainwright during Noise Pop 2009, Ryan Auffenberg will set the tone for another leading lady (Maria Taylor) this Friday at Cafe du Nord. His subtle Americana is soaked in both melancholy and earnest hope, creating a uniquely bittersweet musical landscape.

Saturday, May 2nd:

• Foma (CD release) at the Make-Out Room (with Si, Claro). 7:30 p.m., $7, 21+

Foma – “Seraphim Succibi”

Foma’s music is shiny and new in the form of Inverness,  which is out now and ready to be celebrated at the Make-Out Room this Saturday. The band takes the best parts of DeVotchKa and Grandaddy to create lush and intricate songs, augmented by horns and strings and light, dreamy vocals. Also on the bill: Si, Claro’s dynamic, jangly indie pop.

Sunday, May 3rd:

• Garrett Pierce (CD release) and Window Twins at Cafe du Nord (with Agent Ribbons). 8:00 p.m., $10, 21+

Garrett Pierce – “Tumbling Down the Sidewalk”

Window Twins – “Maybe It’s Time”

On Sunday, Garrett Pierce will be celebrating the release of All Masks, out now on Crossbill Records. Pierce’s music burns slowly but steadily, finding central focus in solid, eclectic folk-rock. Window Twins, on the other hand, manage to find that sweet spot between melodic and spastic, touching down at the feet of a fresh and complex take on experimental pop. P.S. You can win tickets to this show, all contest-like, via the Bay Bridged.