Jasper And The Prodigal Suns practice something not very many bands can do: they don’t (practice, that is). The tight-knit, hip-hop band from Atlanta challenge themselves by rehearsing only during sound checks.

“Playing live is one of our favorite things to do, and rehearsing takes a lot out of that,” said Jasper, guitarist and vocalist. “We are tight enough that we can pull it off. It keeps us going on our toes all the time.”

Jasper and his Suns are coming off a performance at MIT in Boston and will play in Iowa for the first time tonight. The quintet includes Jasper, Jim Hobbs on saxophone, Django Corranza on drums, Timo Shanko on bass, and Mackie Burnett on steel drums and percussion.

“Hobbs and Corranza heard about me after I played at a party and asked me to fill in one Sunday night,” Jasper said. “We’ve came a long way.”

Jasper describes the Suns as forever changing with the times. He believes their music is spiritually evolving and labels it “soul funk discovery.”

“Our description is what makes us unique,” Jasper added. “We don’t get a lot of support, but we try to play live as much as we can. We get better each show. Our records are what you get live, no overdubs or anything.”

The inspiration behind Jasper’s special sauce is Atlanta native, G Love. The two met at a party and Love was quickly impressed. “I write the songs and we all operate on them,” Jasper said. “Everyone remains free and is allowed to create. We couldn’t have it any other way.”

The Suns are on support of their current release, Everything Is Everything. The disc was produced by Dave Cochrane, whose resum‚ includes such acts as Paula Abdul, Lionel Richie and Public Enemy. Jasper’s debut was the five track EP People Get Ready.

“We’re in the progress of recording another record real soon,” Jasper said. “We are ready now, but the record companies want us to be more hip-hop. We have lost a lot of their support and have become more independent from record companies. Our music is real. We’re not a name brand because we don’t sell out.”

“Check us out,” Jasper added. “Keep our music, it’s an example of freedom. We may be slow coming, but we’re coming.”

Jasper And The Prodigal Suns perform tonight at 8 and 11 p.m. at the Memorial Union M-Shop. Tickets are $5, $6 the day of the show and can be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet.