Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers create music that feels like a celebration of life itself. With a sound that weaves together funk, soul, folk, and indie pop, this Michigan-based band promises to deliver more than just a concert—they offer an electrifying experience filled with joy, color, and energy. Led by Joe Hertler’s captivating vocals and poetic storytelling, the group’s live performances are a feast for the senses, turning every venue into a space where audiences can dance, connect, and revel in the moment
Blending the Unexpected
The story of Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers began over a decade ago, when Hertler’s distinctive voice and heartfelt songwriting started gaining attention in the small college town Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. His blend of poignant lyricism and uplifting melodies drew in guitarist Ryan Hoger, soon followed by other talented musicians, eventually forming the ensemble we see today. Musically, the band defies easy categorization and their sound spans genres and eras. With echoes of Motown’s soulful grooves, the grit of Americana, the playful rhythms of funk, and the introspective warmth of folk artfully put together to create a unique yet familiar sound. At times, their songs may feel like they belong on an indie rock album—until you find yourself swept into a funky groove or a spirited saxophone solo, seamlessly blending the unexpected.
Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers
Finding Songs in the Place Where They Hide
Their albums, including Terra Incognita (2015) and Paper Castle (2019), showcase the band’s versatility and put the band on the map in their early professional careers. Like it was for a lot of artists and musicians, 2020 was a difficult year for Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, but also a time of significant growth. “If anything was gonna kill the Rainbow Seekers, it’s probably going to be this,” Hertler told BandWagon in a recent phone conversation, reflecting on the challenges the band faced during the pandemic. With live performances—such a vital part of their identity—stripped away, Hertler admits, “I mourned it,” acknowledging the loss of the live music experience. In response, he turned to songwriting as an outlet. “I just started writing,” he said, explaining how he channeled his feelings into creativity.
By the time he was ready to return to the studio, he had written 30 to 40 songs. “You just kind of find them, looking in the places where they hide,” Hertler noted, emphasizing the organic process. With the future uncertain, Hertler felt a deep desire to ensure that these songs were his strongest yet. The band began recording in 2021, and in that process which included trips to Nashville to finish the record, they finished the project in late 2022. The result was Pursuit of Wonder, released in 2023.
Flowers, Confetti & Sword Fights
Now, the band is back on the road, touring in support of their latest release, this most ambitious record to date. Pursuit of Wonder is easily their most expansive and ambitious album yet. While the record leans more into pop influences, it still carries the familiar array of sounds that define the band’s eclectic style. Despite a slightly broader sonic scope, the tracks stay grounded in the band’s signature funk roots. Songs like “Marrow Dream” and “The Last Ovation” have a cinematic, introspective quality and iconic indie pop sound that could easily fit on a Death Cab for Cutie EP, while “What I Want” stands out as one of the funkiest pop tracks the band has ever released.
But for Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, the live performance is where the real magic happens. As Hertler himself says, “The live show is the purpose of the band. This is why we make music.” Every performance feels like a celebration, with the band throwing everything they have into the mix—flowers, confetti, costumes, and even the occasional sword battle in the early days. “We’re a little more tight now.” Hurtler chuckled as he recalled past stage antics. “When we were starting out we’d do some stupid stuff that was always fun… There’s a level of pageantry to our set that has become a part of it.” he admits. “I don’t want to overshadow the music but I love elevating the show in these sorts of ways… We change up the setlist everynight and dress it up and try to create something that can just break up reality a little bit.” Hurtler says. Whether it’s at a festival like Bonnaroo or Electric Forest, or an intimate venue, a Rainbow Seekers show is always a sensory experience.
Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers
Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers are Coming to Greeley, CO @ The Moxi Theater on 10/27!
So, if you’ve been waiting to discover the magic of the Rainbow Seekers, now’s your chance. They’re set to play one night in Colorado this fall for what promises to be an unforgettable show to the Moxi Theater in Greeley on Sunday, October 27, 2024, with special guest Judy Blank.
Tickets available @ moxitheater.com
