But Phill Kulas and Shanee Laurent have embraced the transition in a major way, turning their Grand Rapids duo Bowery into a dynamic new outfit that's gotten "bigger sounding" and faster.
"We're still pop-oriented," said Kulas, 33, guitarist and chief songwriter for the group, "but we are actively shifting to doing more rock tunes."
"The new stuff is really exciting. There's a certain level of credibility that comes with extra members," added Laurent, 29, who shares lead vocal duties. "It was time. We coveted the big sound."
Although expanding its ranks to include Tyler Steimle on guitar, Scott Hickok on drums and Todd VanTongeren on bass has given Bowery more of a rock vibe -- a la The Killers, The Dandy Warhols and Stars -- Kulas and Laurent retain the flavor of their recent debut album, "Our Love is a Ghost," which incorporated everything from pop to jazz textures.
That's because producer/mentor Joel Ferguson of the band Papa Vegas encouraged the duo to add layers of sounds -- from keyboards to electric guitars to drums -- to its compelling tunes.
Kulas said they went "absolutely bonkers" in the studio at times, with the duo absolutely trusting Ferguson's experience and judgment.
"We use him as a soundboard for if this a good song," said Kulas, who used to play guitar in the hard-rock band Moto and now repairs guitars for RIT Music as his day job. "We have the best outside ear you can imagine."
Granted, all that extra layering made it difficult for members when it came time to replicate the studio tracks in a live setting as a five-piece band. But they were buoyed by the potential for an expanded sound and, after a certain amount of "trial and error," thrilled with the results.
It's been a satisfying journey for an acoustic duo which started in 2007 making the rounds of open-mic nights at places such as Louie's Bar & Rocket Lounge, Founders Brewing Co. and the Monarch Club. They played 100-plus gigs as a duo in a year's time.
"We'd learn as many covers as we could to fill out the night," recalled Laurent, who does technical writing and graphic design for Grand Rapids' Broadway Systems by day.
Working with Ferguson, the band already has material and plans for two follow-up CDs -- an acoustic duo EP and a full-throttled, full-band rock album -- with hopes they can be completed for release next year.
"Now we're not as scared to throw that kitchen sink in," Kulas said.