ABOUT
Casey Yugo is a Toronto-based music producer and visual song artist.
Drifting in sounds from alt-R&B, neo-soul, avant-funk and synth-pop, Casey uses pastiche and musical geekery to push forward his own pop aesthetic. Set to whimsical and surreal visuals he designs, his music explores narratives of love, identity and self-actualization in a postmodern, connected era. His latest project, Shields Up (November 2020), is a cyberpunk-inspired, R&B-infused EP of 8 songs following a fictional interstellar explorer’s discovery of love and affirmation after crash landing near a futuristic, dystopian metropolis. Booming 808s, spacey Moog synths and sizzling guitar riffs make up most of the album’s soundscape, while vibrant, eccentric cover art contribute to its visualization. All music and visual album art was conceptualized, created, designed, performed and produced by Casey himself.
His recent single off the album, High (Feburary 2021) has received both local and regional CBC radio play (Big City, Small World, Toronto; Fresh Air, Ontario) while Gotta Have U, Pts. 1 & 2 (December 2020) has received national radio play (Marvin’s Room, CBC Music) and positive reviews. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), between Toronto and New York, he has performed live at Pianos, Rockwood Music Hall, The Bowery Electric, and for SofarSounds. He has also previously released two works — Maybe In Time You’ll See (Single, 2012) and Boombox Bravado (EP, 2014). Being raised on the beats and intertextuality of The Neptunes and J Dilla, while studying the voices of Stevie Wonder and D’Angelo have formed the foundation for his sonic excursions in the studio. On stage, his soulful tenor vocal along with his rhythmic guitar style endears listeners to his folk-and-funk approach live.
PRESS
“Yugo seamlessly exhibits his vocal range as his voice soars incredibly high over the the colossal horn section during the climax. Even though ['Gotta Have U'] is an R&B track, traces of jazz, soul and electronica are scattered throughout to create the a wholesome listening experience adorned with stellar musicianship from all the parties involved.”
Lu, Stereofox, January 2021
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“['Gotta Have U' is] a powerful groove that is rooted in nu disco with subtle touches. Surrounded by layers of synthesizers, it immerses a warm voice with a clear touch of neo soul and RnB.”
Translated from Spanish
Somos Grandes (Spain), January 2021
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“I have been playing this song ['Gotta Have U'] non-stop for weeks!”
A. Harmony, Interim Host, CBC Marvin’s Room, April 2021
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VIDEOS
All music produced, written, composed, performed and engineered by Casey Yugo.
All visual artwork conceptualized, created, designed and/or animated by Casey Yugo.
