Joe Hertler plays piano, bass, violin and guitar

Joe Hertler wants to share his music with the world.

This hope started when he first picked up a violin in elementary school. Then, in high school, he added bass and piano to his repertoire.

It was not until the Troy junior got to Central Michigan University that Hertler played the guitar.

“I started seriously writing music during my second semester of my freshman year in college,” he said. “I just bought a guitar and it started from there.”

Hertler said he plays “folky-soul” music.

John Krohn, who mastered Hertler’s first full-length album “The Hard Times LP,” might agree.

“I think it’s the soul part of it that sets Joe apart from a lot of other dudes that are slinging acoustic guitars around,” said the Deep Deep Pink studio owner.

“The Hard Times LP” was completed at the end of last month. Hertler is planning to have a CD release party in the near future.

Over the past few weeks, Hertler has become a frequent guest on Modern Rock 91.5’s Indie Queens show. Macomb junior Jamie Favazza hosts the show.

She calls Hertler a one-man band.

“When you see him live, he obviously can do more than he can in our studio,” Favazza said. “But even with just his guitar, harmonica and vocals, he seems to just captivate the listeners.”

Into the spotlight

Hertler first started playing shows in Mount Pleasant at Kaya Coffee and Tea Co., 1029 S. University Ave. It was there he started to gain a small following of people, including Moore Media Records President James Slider.

“I met Joe at a coffee house concert, probably a year and a half to two years ago. I really liked his set,” the Williamston junior said. “So I went up to him and talked with him about his music and we became friends pretty quickly.”

It was this friendship that opened the door for Hertler to be involved in MMR and he is now a candidate for one of MMR’s next releases.

Hertler said he is inspired by the people around him.

“I have met just a ton of talented kids,” Hertler said. “When I listen to my friends music, and it’s really good, it gets me into a song writing music mood.”

Since starting at Kaya, Hertler said he has played more than 100 shows — playing with several bands such as Frontier Ruckus, Jeff Cramer and Husband and Wife.

Pleasant art

Hertler’s desire to share his art with the world doesn’t end with music.

He said he is in the final steps to create a registered student organization called The Pleasant Town Art Collective with a goal to bring more art to Mount Pleasant.

“There are definitely talented people up here,” he said. “But I just want to bring that talent out, but not just music, but photography, fine art, everything. And really bring about a cohesive force and there is nothing out there like that.”

The Pleasant Town Art Collective is scheduled to be approved next week and Hertler hope soon after it will begin hosting events.

“I’d like to bring a little more culture to this town,” he said.