Detroit, MI. (Top40 Charts/ Green Light Go) Are frontmen made or born? The six members of Joe Hertler & The
Rainbow Seekers are in the perfect position to answer that question. Four of them have fronted other projects, but during the past few years they have united under first-time bandleader, Hertler, to create sublime folk tinged with Motown, funk, and pop. "When we met Joe," says bassist and producer of Hertler's first album,
Kevin Pritchard, "He was a weird dude with sideburns hiding behind an accordion. Now he's a confident front man with a flower on his head and a mic in his hand."
The essence of Joe Hertler & The
Rainbow Seekers is the energy they bring to their live performances. "The live show is the purpose of the band. This is why we make music. Playing music is a symbiotic process, and without a crowd it is just a bunch of guys jamming," says Hertler. "We believe that performance is not a High Art operation, and that you should do anything you can to ensure that the crowd is having a good time. From pinatas to confetti, to fog, to flowers, to drum solos, to strobe lights, to Thor, to sword battles-literally anything goes."
Their upcoming album and video release, Live at Russell, recorded and filmed at Detroit's Russell Industrial Center, is a testament not only to the band's live vibe, but also to their impeccable musicianship. Without the brief interludes, the five track album could easily be mistaken for a studio recording. The lead track, "Garden," with its simple, beautiful harmonies and its sonically dynamic nature brings to mind
Mumford & Sons or The Lumineers. "Your Story" builds to the kind of sneaky hook you don't even realize you've internalized until you're singing it during a quiet moment. Hertler's passionate vocal delivery, combined with the band's judicious use of tasteful percussion and piano tempered by sweet guitar, make this song a clear hit. The Live at Russell sessions were also video recorded, providing a true look at the way Joe Hertler & The
Rainbow Seekers play together. Intimately shot and featuring candid moments in and around the worn yet charming Russell Industrial Center, the video captures both the hard work and play that makes this band what it is.
Joe Hertler started as a successful solo artist, and then formed a duo with guitarist Ryan Hoger. That duo expanded when they caught the eye of Pritchard, who asked them to do a special performance in Bigger Brush Media's Quilted Attic. Soon, drummer and life long friend of Pritchard, Rick Hale, joined the band, bringing his jazz-trained services into the mix. After the release of the first
Rainbow Seekers album, On Being, which has sold an impressive 1,400 copies to date with no outside help, the band grew again. Keyboardist Micah Braken and saxaphone prodigy
Aaron Stinson joined, giving the group a decidedly classic turn. Live instruments, live musicianship, and live energy became the creed of The
Rainbow Seekers and led them to the live recording at The Russell.
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Rainbow Seekers on Facebook & Twitter
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Praise for Joe Hertler & The
Rainbow Seekers
"As a band that is constantly cranking out new music in such unique ways, The
Rainbow Seekers are on the forefront for local bands striving to be heard in this oversaturated digital world we love in." [2/04/2013] -Mel Says and Nathan Ryall - Steady Magazine
On Joe Hertler & The Raibow Seekers The Russell Seesions videos: "Check out these great videos of one of Michigan's most promising bands right now!" -Jacob Pauwels - Listen to the Mitten
"The Lates Release, On Being, showcases Herler's ability as a singer-songwriter to create cohesive songs that dance across genres and easily charm listeners." -Fearless Radio
[On Being] "The lyrics are beautifully thought out." -LMFANELLI
"Hertler ... is a gifted songwriter and singer, and he fills On Being with the sort of articulate, keen lettering one might expect from a longtime songster bred in indie and folk." -Anne Erickson - NOISE: Local
Music Beat
"Characterized by epic musicianship, passionate vocals and perceptive lyrics, On Being has a timeless sound that will sound great years from now. Yup -- Herlet is that good." -Sean Bradley - Revue West Michigan
"On Being is a soul-stirring set of wonderfully well played and even more wonderfully well-written songs. Hertler's vocals are downright caressing but also jumping to heart-rousing highs that pack one hell of an emotional punch. Aided all the more by these absolutely fantastic vocal harmonies peppered throughout at all the right moments." -All Around Sound
"On Being spans the topics of religion and existentialist philosophy, making for pensive lyrics with a folk-meets-orchestra sound." -Tricia Taormina - Grand Central Mag
"On Being is an enjoyable record, aurally tuned to the Midwest's fall-winter transition and showcasing a bourgeoning Michigan talent bound to be on everyone's radar soon." -August Smith - Mostly Midwest
"The music of Joe Hertler & The
Rainbow Seekers is pop-infused folk, featuring the songwriting and vocals of Hertler paired with buoyant guitars and drums, harmonica and accompanying harmonies." -Marina Csomor - The
State News
