YUGEN’s unique combination of hip-hop, jazz, soul, and electronic genres, mixed with the talent and chemistry of six educated musicians, creates an unforgettable live experience that will force even the most stubborn crowd member’s head to nod. Tuesday night’s performance at Gasa Gasa was no exception, as YUGEN opened up for Chicago’s own Sidewalk Chalk to begin a three-show tour from New Orleans to Oxford and Tupelo, Mississippi. The late-night crowd lined up at the door as both bands were still loading their equipment into the venue; everyone was ready to see their favorite live hip-hop artists make the room bounce.

From beginning to end, YUGEN’s set captivated the audience, Joao Amos (emcee, rapper) drawing the large Tuesday night crowd close to the stage and leading the dance party that would soon erupt. Even without their sixth member, Scott Clemens (saxophone), the rest of YUGEN, including Micah Jasper (guitar), Kevin Clifford (drums), Duncan Troast (keyboard), and Nic Lefebvre (bass), seemed to have no problem keeping the energy high as crowds demanded an encore, incessantly screaming “one more song!” until they got what they wanted. After a full set of originals, quick-thinking YUGEN closed out their set by bringing Parker Mulherin of Mulherin to the stage from the audience to perform their arrangement of James Blake’s “Life Round Here”, getting the whole house to bounce with them.

Sidewalk Chalk’s subsequent set continued to fuel the party as Rico Sisney (emcee) and Maggie Vagle (vocals) led the group of expert-musicians through a dynamic set of originals, arrangements, and covers, all with Sidewalk Chalk’s live stamp on them. The rising Chicago stars caught the New Orleans crowd’s full attention as Sisney challenged audience members to bring items to the stage — including a beer can, perscription glasses, a pocket mirror, and a lamp — about which the confident and talented rapper freestyled seamlessly to the live backbeat of Action Bronson’s “Baby Blue”.

Live For Live NOLA recently had an exclusive interview with YUGEN band leader, producer, and original member, Micah Jasper, to talk about the band’s past, present, and future. Jasper, who recently signed a deal with Tony Maserati’s Mirrorball Entertainment, explains that the band has changed drastically from the guitarist’s original project, a progressive jazz trio involving mostly improvisational and jam-based grooves that was “much more left of center than what it is now.” After the loss of both bass player and drummer, Jasper was left to ruminate on the future existence and direction of YUGEN. As he became more interested in production techniques, Jasper became close friends with emcee, Joao Amos, and began to rebuild YUGEN from the ground up. Jasper “wanted a new sound” that filled a more recognizable genre profile while maintaining an air of originality; Jasper explains: “for a while it was just me and Joao, but as other pieces of the band came together, the sound seemed to develop with the group.” At six men strong, a newly reformed YUGEN began recording their 2013 debut EP, Save The Sunlight, available for preview and purchase here.

Since the release of their EP — described by the band as the spawn of “various electronic tracks, film scores, boom-bap skeletal structures, and daydreamed ideas” — YUGEN has performed all over New Orleans, as well as toured the east coast, playing venues in New York City and Boston. Their original sound and masterful live musicianship has been praised in OffBeat Magazine, The Vinyl District, & Revive-Music. YUGEN has established their presence as a juxtaposition of live and electronic music, with elements of hip-hop, soul, funk, and R&B, creating a recognizable sound that fans can’t get enough of. Their live show makes apparent the chemistry and camaraderie between bandmembers, each piece coordinating perfectly with the others to produce moments of musicality only formed by the most adept of musicians. It is this telekinetic energy between YUGEN members that immediately draws your attention and support.

Their new single, “WastingWorld” — exclusive preview below — is a composition that Micah Jasper and Duncan Troast had written almost a year prior, yet did not see the light of day until this summer. “WastingWorld” stays true to YUGEN’s unique sound as Joao Amos raps over an ethereal background of reversed synth, guitar harmonies, and a gritty bass line, glued together by a J-Dilla style backbeat combining live and electronic drum samples. The finished single is the only song released from what was to be a new YUGEN EP. Jasper explains: “We were unsure about the other songs on the EP; they were just ‘too out’ for us. This was the only song that we were all completely satisfied with.” YUGEN’s selectivity in the music they release is something that the band is trying to be more strict about; “with the abundance of music available”, Jasper says, “we are trying to be VERY intentional with everything we do, not carelessly make music that we end up scrapping.” The specifics of YUGEN’s future seem to be uncertain, as each member is involved in projects and companies nation-wide. But according to Jasper, YUGEN will continue to collaborate on their next record either in person or electronically, aiming for a big release in 2016. In the meantime, fans will have to wait patiently for new music, and keep a lookout for upcoming shows. The future looks bright for the New Orleans collective as they continue their pursuit to make heads nod around the world. For more information or to purchase their music, find YUGEN on Facebook, Soundcloud, and Bandcamp.

Words by Charlie McMillan, Photos by Brandon Xuereb. Full Gallery: