Gods & Ghosts by The Edward George Company

With Gods & Ghosts, Apoc confirms his status as a rising star in Chicago's independent hip hop community. His repertoire has grown considerably since his debut, showcasing an acerbic wit that works to compliment his aptitude for rich imagery and pointed political commentary. The album is scored by EV Records beatsmith Earmint, who moves seamlessly through his catalog of classic breaks, modern boom bap, electro funk, and glitchy electronica to create a platform of sound that is at once accessible and challenging to the listener. The two combine to give birth to a series of passionate meditations on identity and it's relation to one's past. Adding to the imaginative soundscapes are fellow Chicago indy hip hop stalwarts Anacron(Netherworlds) and Psalm One(Rhymesayers), who both make memorable appearances on the mic, the latter lending her trademark rapid fire delivery to the album's lead single 'The Uh.' Battle veteran DJ Onceamonth sprinkles his provocative scratch techniques over the album and Lab-O affiliate Relevar collaborates with Earmint on a few of the tracks to give it that extra knock. This is the album where Apoc and Earmint emerge from the pack and establish themselves as forerunners in the new indy hip hop vanguard.

Apoc’s emergence as an artist coincides with his ongoing collaborations with Earmint, starting with 2003’s Salesmanshipwrecked. The release of that album marked the beginning of their artist collective and sometimes record label, Lab-Oratory. Under that guise, they have since released a number of projects together, including Lab-Oratory’s Changing Seasons(2003), Apoc’s Bootlegg Aesthetic EP(2003), and the compilation The Zooey Files(2004). The buzz generated by these projects has allowed them the opportunity to work with many of Chicago’s most esteemed artists, such as Diverse, Modill, and Longshot, as well as national acts like Murs and Royce Da 5’9”. In addition, Apoc’s live performances have earned him many accolades; playing shows both in and outside of Chicago with big name acts like Rahzel, Eyedea & Abilities, DJ Logic, Lyrics Born, Lupe Fiasco and Tre Hardson of The Pharcyde. Currently, Apoc is hard at work on a collaborative project with producer Relevar under the moniker of The Ritz, while Earmint promotes the release of his first solo project in 2006 and puts some finishing work into Illogic’s new album and fellow Lab-Orataur Elfamail’s second full-length, before they both return to the studio to begin work on their next album, Boredom in Full Bloom.

Patrick Felsenthal makes music under several names, including Apoc, Yereeka!, and The Edward George Company. The songs are electronic, often rap-adjacent, sometimes dark, sometimes silly, and rarely interested in staying in one lane for very long.

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