Evil Nine

Evil Nine is a Brighton, United Kingdom electronic duo made up of Tom Beaufoy and Pat Pardy. Active since 1998, they work in breakbeat and nu skool breaks, and their music also draws on hip-hop, punk, electro, dancehall, post-punk, garage rock, techno and krautrock. They first combine their skills in 1998 and are signed early on to Adam Freeland’s Marine Parade label after being identified as a DJ and producer duo.

Style and approach

The pair build a sound that resists easy categorisation, using minimal arrangements with strong emotional contrast. Their records aim to work both in clubs and at home, and their releases are marked by a mix of uplifting and darker elements, alongside raw, dirty textures and references to nostalgia. Their approach is shaped by heavy hip-hop and rock influences, and they aim for a style that keeps evolving rather than settling into one scene.

Releases and collaborations

Their debut album You Can Be Special Too features collaborations with Aesop Rock, Juice Aleem and Toastie Taylor. From that record, “Crooked ft. Aesop Rock” becomes a signature track, while “Pearlshot ft. Juice Aleem” continues their blend of dance music and hip-hop. In 2008 they release THEY LIVE!, a follow-up full-length. They also issue a Fabric Live compilation for the London club Fabric, where they hold a residency.

Remixes, radio support and live work

Evil Nine gain attention for remixes including ILS’ “Music”, a track associated with a Carling advert, as well as work for Pet, U.N.K.L.E., Moby, Timo Maas, Santos, Future Funk Squad, Will Saul and Freeland. Their music also receives radio support in the UK from Zane Lowe, Pete Tong, Annie Nightingale, Steve Lamac, John Peel, XFM and Kiss. On stage, Tom uses turntables and Pat uses a laptop, and they play internationally, including in the USA, Australia, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and China, with audiences reaching 7,000.

Label work

In 2010 they launch their own label, FOR LOVERS, and release three singles on it. Their tracks also appear in other contexts: “Hired Goons”, from You Can Be Special Too, is used in the Xbox 360 game Test Drive Unlimited, and several Evil Nine tracks are used by artists including The Crystal Method and James Lavelle of UNKLE.