Purveyors of: Scuzz-pop, jalopy-rock, bureaucrat-core
File Next To: Guided by Voices, Cheap Trick, Road to Avonlea
Playing: All Toronto's Parties a.k.a. WL 582, Nov. 22 at the Garrison

It would take a highly specialized logarithm to map out all of Ben Cook’s musical projects, from his early days with Toronto hardcore pioneers No Warning and lo-fi power-pop crew Marvelous Darlings, to his current triple-threat status as third guitarist & harmony vocalist in Polaris-winning power-punks Fucked Up, frontman of “jazzy G-funk” yacht-rockers Yacht Club and his latest venture into bedroom-spun power-pop, Young Guv (a.k.a. Young Governor, Young Guv & the Scuzz) – who play All Toronto’s Parties this Friday. Mathematicians will have to invent a new irrational number to factor to explain how he can also be an in-demand record producer, east-end champion tastemaker and former Canadian TV child actor. Wavelength’s Jonny Dovercourt cooked Cook’s brain to try and uncover the mysterious Young Guv equation.

How old is the Young Guv? Tell us a bit about the origins of the project.

I think I started recording myself for this project shortly after I joined Fucked Up. So about six years ago. The first recordings came after I had a lengthy late-night conversation about self-recording and production techniques with Jay Reatard [RIP – ed.] in Austin. I realized I had all the tools, and the know-how, so I wrote six songs that week and have been recording myself and others ever since. I would feel out small vinyl labels as I kept recording songs, and luckily have been able to release many singles and a few 12"s. It's never been a live focus for me really, but maybe that will change in 2014 as an LP is in the works. 

You've got a bunch of musical projects on the go, including Yacht Club and Fucked Up. What distinguishes Young Guv material from these other musical identities? How do you keep track of all these various personae? 

Ya, I have three things going. I feel it makes sense for someone like me to have a few different outlets, especially in a time where there’s just so much music, and so many ways to hear it. I like experimenting with different personalities as a musician, and I very much like being involved in the excessive A.D.D. modern musical vibes that are goin’ down these days. I guess when you break it down Young Guv is a power-pop guitar thing, Yacht Club is headed in a bit more chill, weeded-out, jazzy G-funk direction, and FU is FU. 

You're well known as a big champion of Toronto's under-loved east end. What is it about the east side that makes it such a great place to live and work? Are you angling to get a gig at the local Chamber of Commerce or something?

Yeah, I just like to chirp mostly, I guess. I don't actually care where good music or art comes from in this city as long as it does. It just happens I know a few people out here that are really ahead of the game. Basically I think most of the interesting music I hear from Toronto does not come from the downtown core of hipsterdom. All that stuff is cool, but it sounds too derivative of what was cool last year on Pitchfork or something. I would just as easily champion something amazing from Hamilton or Jane & Finch/North York. I have done a bunch of digging in the last year and have found some amazing music outside of this T.O indie-rock bubble thing. The east end is for me, because I grew up here. I know for many people the east end is a foreign country or some shit. I don't particularly understand how you live life in a city and only vibe out in a certain pocket the entire time. I guess most people really are that boring. 

What recordings do you currently have in the works, and what can people expect to hear in the near future?

I'm mixing a Yacht Club 12" EP right now, and I'm putting final touches on a Young Guv LP. Both will be out next year on Bad Actors (my new label) and Slumberland Records (Young Guv). Also of course the next FU LP is in the works. I have been recording/producing (with Anthony Nemet) the first Marvelous Mark 7" single, which is incredible. I have also been recording the first Ice Cream recordings. The Actual Water LP I didn't touch, they recorded it with Max Cotter (shout outs JOE) and Luke P — a couple new refreshing engineers. That will also come out on Bad Actors in the new year. It’s good. 

You've also helped out some newer bands and artists on the production side. Tell us about some of your favourite recent discoveries. 

Yeah, I used to hate everything, but now I don't. Weird. This past year I worked the closest with a duo called Bizzarh. Basically just lent them my studio room to help them get experience recording and figure out exactly what they want to do. I think they learned a lot, they are young, and very talented. A few great tracks came from it, and they've started playing more in T.O. and making friends. Marvelous Mark is by all definitions a “hit record.” I really like working with Caitlin Owolfbrainz aka Blunt Chunks. She is part of the Lido Pimienta crew and does some really beautiful solo work. Jimmy Johnson came through a couple times and laid down some vocals on some of his beats. I really fuck with his music too. 

I've been producing alongside Anthony Nemet [Actual Water] on most things recently. Ice Cream is coming along very nicely. Probably the best new band this year in this city. More people should reach out on the production side of things. I think the role of Producer in a time where EVERYONE can record themselves is really important. A chill collaborative process with some tasteful outsiders can really bring someone’s music to life in different ways… and it’s also just way more fun. I urge all artists to embrace the role of a producer a little more, and stop being so precious. 

What's the current Young Guv live show like? What can people expect on Friday at All Toronto's Parties?

It's a four-piece, some drum machine stuff, some just full live band. I'll be playing all new music, and a very short set. I don't like watching bands play forever (why do they?), and I guess this will reflect my thoughts on that. Haha. See you Friday!