Feathermerchants is a New York City band that's been at it for six years, and founder Pete Veru is hoping that just a couple years more will be needed for the band to become an "overnight success story."

Feathermerchants plays an ethereal brand of rootsy pop, stuff on the order of Cowboy Junkies and Rusted Root. The band has been a work in progress, and hit its stride in 2002 when it brought in singer Shannon Kennedy, the third woman to tackle lead vocals, and the one Veru promised to be the last.

 

"The personalities just work well together," Veru said. "When we brought in Shannon, she became a calming influence on the band. I can be a Type A personality."

Tensions dissolve on The Feathermerchants' sophomore CD "Unarmed Against the Dark" released last year and the first to feature Kennedy. The music is moody and provocative, and at its core are the fundamentals of memorable melodies and strong lyrics.

The music, Veru explained, is basic singer-songwriter fare, but given a twist because it is arranged for five people. Drummer Jon Peckman, bass player Jay Wiggins, and guitar guru Jim Chapdelaine join guitarist Veru and Kennedy in Feathermerchants.

Each member in the band has a distinct strength - from Peckman's world-beat style of drumming to Chapdelaine's finely textured guitar sounds - that combine to drive the folksy songs to a higher ground. Feathermerchants hops around on the CD, going from the chiming pop of "Temporary" to the creakier Americana of "Farmer's Night Out" (a song Veru used to sing but has ceded to Kennedy) to a dreamy cover of Psychedelic Furs' "Heartbreak Beat." Keyboard player Chuck Leavell, an alum of the Rolling Stones touring band and the Allman Brothers Band, makes a guest appearance on two tracks.

Feathermerchants is currently on tour with Grey Eye Glances, but makes a break from that package for a show of its own Saturday at The Lucky Dog Music Hall, 89 Green St., Worcester. Peckman lobbied for the date as he drummed for the Lucky Dog's legendary Disco Hell shows before settling into Feathermerchants. Jediah, Vibrotica, Redletter and Almost Speechless are also on the bill.

Next week, Feathermerchants is releasing the EP "Street Theater," which features three versions of the dreamscape "Ursuline," one being the album cut off "Unarmed" and the other two remixes with dance and techno flourishes. Feathermerchants also recut "Farmer's Night Out" with Kennedy singing, and put on new versions of two songs from the band's first album.

"Street Theater" is brief, but supports Veru's claim that Feathermerchants isn't trying to fit into a comfortable sonic niche.

"Our attitude is `Let's do what we do.' Peckman says this is the most freedom he's ever had as a drummer," Veru said. "Everyone is encouraged to contribute songs as long as it fits a basic framework of Feathermerchants. If someone shows up with a rap song, we'll probably say no."

But the band is into exploring, having brought Middle Eastern rhythms into some songs, and toying with electronica influences on new material.

Feathermerchants participated in this year's South By Southwest music conference in Texas, and Veru walked away feeling this is a great time for independent bands like his.

"Because of technology, if you're an independent artist, there's no reason you can't be distributed to the world," Veru said.

And conversely as the traditional record industry settles down into a modern business paradigm, Veru believed it will be looking for bands such as the Feathermerchants that have already reached audiences with a fresh sound.

To Veru, a former Wall Street junk-bonds trader, the business of Feathermerchants can be as exciting as its creative endeavors.

"This is a lot more fun than Wall Street," he said. "When I was at South By Southwest, I went to every meeting and hung on every word."

The band runs its own record label, which is distributed by Rykodisc, and recorded in Chapdelaine's studio in Hartford. Yet there's nothing about the sound or packaging of "Unarmed Against the Dark" that suggests anything but top-shelf professionalism.

"We've been working really hard, and this tour with Grey Eye Glances is a great break," Veru said. "I have a good feeling we will be able to reach a big audience, and we'll be one of those 10-year-old overnight success stories."

Scott McLennan can be reached at [email protected]