The Beaches aren’t your typical rock band, but they aren’t trying to be. This all-female quartet from Toronto, named after their home neighbourhood, have spent over a decade carving their path in a music industry that often feels like a revolving door. With gritty lyrics, a combination of indie rock and pop hooks, and a relentless touring schedule, Jordan and Kylie Miller, Leandra Earl, and Eliza Enman-McDaniel have earned their place on both sides of the Atlantic.
Their latest album, Blame My Ex, offers a sharp, punchy exploration of heartbreak, a subject matter they’ve embraced with the same ferocity as their live performances. Over champagne at their label’s offices in London, we caught up with The Beaches to discuss everything from the pressure of maintaining their creative momentum to the surreal reality of having audiences belt out lyrics about their personal relationships.
Q: You’ve been to London a few times now. What’s your relationship with the city like?
Eliza: Well, we’ve spent so much time here, and it was one of the first places we ever toured in, like, 2014 or 2013. We came over to tour with Brody Dalle, and it was the first time, for me at least, leaving the country. There’s such a special connection we have, especially to London. I always love coming here. The only thing that I’d say is daunting is the driving. I get so nauseous in the cars here!
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Jordan: I’d say England, but especially London, is so renowned for its music culture. People casually go to gigs here. There’s a daunting element because you’re playing to proper music fans. But if you can connect with them, it’s so much more rewarding.
Q: Do you feel that pressure performing to such knowledgeable audiences?
Jordan: People here will go to shows even if they don’t know the band. A lot of people I know go to a gig every week and want to be impressed. When you’re seeing so many shows, there’s a level of expectation, you know?
Q: You’ve played other European cities like Paris. How does that compare to London?
Eliza: When we played Paris, the crowd was so excited. It was one of the most hype crowds we’ve played to, and I think that’s because not as many bands come through there. London is a bit like LA, there are so many artists trying to break through that it’s diluted. In places like Paris, people are more excited because it’s rarer.
Leandra: I think it’s because North American acts don’t come through here often. For our Outernet show a couple of months ago, we hadn’t been here for years, so people were just holding onto hope we’d come back.
Q: Let’s talk about ‘Blame Brett’. Jordan, how do you feel performing a song that’s become so massive? Does it still feel personal, or has it changed as it’s grown?
Jordan: I was actually really nervous when it started to take off. I thought, “Oh my God, am I going to have to relive the trauma of this breakup again and again?” When I perform, I want it to be genuine, so I was scared I’d be traumatised by it. But as the song grew, I realised it’s such a universal song. Everyone’s been in a relationship with a ‘Brett’ or been a ‘Brett’. Now, I anchor myself to that shared experience. I’m officially over Brett, which is great.
Kylie: There’s still some deep trauma, though!
Jordan: (Laughs) True, but I’m mostly over it. It’s funny that for the rest of our career, I’ll be singing my ex-boyfriend’s name.
Q: How do you cope with the pressure of following up on a song like that?
Kylie: Once you release a song and people start singing those words back to you, the song kind of isn’t yours anymore. The meaning shifts because of their personal connection to it.
Leandra: Yeah, it’s like ‘Edge of the Earth’. It was painful to write, but now it’s celebrated. I don’t even think about my ex when I perform it anymore. It becomes something else.
Jordan: Songs are like babies. They come from you, but they become their own thing, separate from you.
Q: You’ve been together as The Beaches for over a decade. What’s changed for you in that time?
Eliza: Social media became very, very important. I remember arguing with my boyfriend, and he was like, “You guys need to be posting on social media.” I was like, “No, we’re about the music!” But that’s changed.
Kylie: Yeah, and then the pandemic happened, and the music industry shifted even more. Touring was how we grew, and when that became obsolete, we had to pivot. We had to engage on social media, and we realised that’s how young people find music now. Luckily, we’ve got a great team, and we’ve learned along the way.
Q: How does it feel to now be independent after parting ways with your label?
Jordan: We signed with a major label when we were 15. We didn’t know what we wanted, so we were in the system for most of our career. Getting dropped gave us an opportunity to clear house and do things our way. It’s a lot more work, but it’s paid off massively. We wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t happened.
Q: Do you ever think about walking away from music, especially during tough times?
Eliza: Even in those hard moments, I don’t think any of us wanted to walk away. We believe in what we’re doing too much. These were just speed bumps. The hardest part now is not sleeping and all the travelling, but it’s worth it.
Jordan: I had a moment of doubt before we wrote Blame My Ex. I thought maybe we weren’t breaking through because the songs weren’t good enough, and as the main songwriter, that weighed heavily on me. But I had my bandmates and manager’s support, and that got me through.
Q: Leandra, you came out during the pandemic. How did that impact your music and the band’s dynamic?
Leandra: I didn’t have a big plan to come out. I just integrated my girlfriend into posts, and the reaction was mostly positive. My fear was about how fans in less progressive areas might react, but people were supportive. Creatively, I didn’t feel like I had to change much. Fans did start asking for songs that reflected queer experiences, which was something we were open to exploring. It’s important to help everyone feel seen.
Q: What’s your plan for your free time in London?
Eliza: We’re kind of short on free time now, but since our Leeds show was cancelled because of the weather, we came to London a day early. We’ve just been shopping, hitting some pubs, and being normal people for a bit.
Jordan: We went to Hampstead Heath, which is where our grandparents got married. That was a cool moment for us!
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