Now, years later, the Central Michigan University student and frequent Lansing performer is playing for reasons beyond trying to impress someone. After realizing his musical passion, he now is performing with a new band, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, that will release its debut album Nov. 8.

“I’m really, really proud of my band, and I think they helped me make a record we are all really proud of,” singer and songwriter Hertler said.

The folk-inspired band, which formed about eight months ago, also incorporates classic rock, alternative and funk sounds into its music.

The album, titled “On Being,” has been in the works for several months, and band members said they are excited to release it to their fans.

“People who are fans of Joe’s band before are going to get their minds blown once they hear what we have been working on,” said guitarist Ryan Hoger, who also is a Central Michigan student.

In the beginning, band members simply were acquaintances, but after spending time together rehearsing and putting together an album, they have become more than that.

“By the end of it, they all (have become) my best friends,” Hertler said.

Hoger ran into Hertler at a coffee shop and asked him if they could start performing together, and after that, the rest of the band just fell together, said bassist Kevin Pritchard, who is an MSU alumnus.

To celebrate their much-anticipated release of the album, Hertler, Hoger, Pritchard and drummer Rick Hale, who also is an MSU alumnus, will host two CD release parties ­— one at 7 p.m. Thursday at Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., in Lansing, and one at 10 p.m. Friday at Rubble’s Bar, 112 W. Michigan St., in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

“We feel like brides on our wedding day,” Hoger said. “We’ve been planning this event for so long, and we’re just nervous and excited.”

Because half the band members live in Lansing and the other half in Mount Pleasant, they thought the two cities would make great places to host their CD release events.

“We’ve just been trying to make an impact in both cities equally,” Hoger said.

Hertler said the album was produced by combining his songwriting skills and the rest of the band members’ musical talent.

“I really wanted (the other band members), as artists, to make art with what I gave them,” he said.

The album focuses on the idea of people being able to relate to one another, because when it comes down to it, everyone is kind of the same person, Pritchard said.

Band members also used their connections within the music industry to find other musicians to play on parts of their album, adding several string parts to some of the songs, as well as electric guitars and full drums.

“It enabled us to go from a four-piece rock band sound to a more full orchestrated sound,” Pritchard said. “It was a blast to do. We were able to do a full, big level rock-style production.”

In the future, Hertler said the band hopes to start recording another EP or release a single as quickly as possible and also would like to begin touring.

He said he hopes to provide fans with a constant stream of new music to listen to every few months.

With the rate at which Hertler writes new songs, band members said producing another album soon should not be too difficult. They already have several new songs written.

“Joe writes songs like a crazy person,” Hoger said. “We can’t keep up with him.”