The roots of the Big Roots Show reach all the way to Kansas and California, the homes of Drakkar Sauna and Dawes, respectively, the two bands who took the stage for the weekly showcase at Locals Only.

Drakkar Sauna was fascinating and quirky, a little vaudeville and a lot of charm, with a first-glance goofiness that was belied by brainy lyrics and a tip of the hat to old-time Americana. Wallace Cochran and Jeff Stolz embrace folk traditions, singing through a single microphone, playing multiple instruments (harmophone, guitar, bass drum and tambourine shoe) and accomplishing achingly good harmonies.

With a set list that ranged from songs about astronauts to lyrics taken directly from the Nuremburg Trials transcripts, they managed to make a song about a “tumor gone malignant” sound hopeful and beautiful.

On the other end of the roots spectrum, the San Fernando Valley group Dawes played soulful pop, brothers Taylor Goldsmith (guitar) and Griffith Goldsmith (drums) harmonizing beautifully against Wylie Gelber's bass guitar. This might be the best band you’ve never seen, even if they lacked a fourth member — the keyboard player — for this show. They’ve got it all – great songs, tight sound, good looks and boyish charm — and I predict a bright, well-deserved future for them.