The Beaches: Post-'Off Campus' Explosion, Band Ready for New Music

Toronto-based rock band The Beaches have experienced an explosive surge in popularity, not primarily due to recent singles from their critically-acclaimed third album, No Hard Feelings, but rather from an older track. Nearly a year after the album's release, their career accelerated at a rocket-like pace, largely fueled by a song from their previous album, Blame My Ex, titled "Edge of the Earth."

This track gained immense traction after being featured on the hit Prime Video series Off Campus. The show notably name-dropped the band, with main characters bonding over music and one even predicting The Beaches' 2025 Coachella performance would be life-changing. This exposure gave "Edge of the Earth" a second life, propelling it onto mainstream pop radio airplay and marking a significant milestone for the band.

In the five months following this surge, The Beaches, comprising Jordan Miller, Eliza Enman-McDaniel, Kylie Miller, and Leandra Earl, have been touring relentlessly. They are set to conclude the year as part of iHeart's festive Jingle Ball tour, hitting major cities in December. During an interview with Collider, singer/bass player Jordan Miller and drummer Eliza Enman-McDaniel discussed their sudden popularity.

Jordan Miller described the shift in their careers as positive, without any negative aspects from his perspective. He noted that the initial signs of virality appeared online before he fully experienced the change at live shows, where he now sees a significant increase in young attendees, mosh pits, and enthusiastic 'hops' during performances. The attention from Off Campus also led to "Edge of the Earth" being added to numerous radio stations, including major pop stations like Toronto's 99.9, which Jordan found thrilling. A humorous consequence of this newfound recognition has been encountering random men in Ubers asking for help getting into the music industry after he excitedly identifies his band's song.

Eliza Enman-McDaniel echoed the excitement of hearing "Edge of the Earth" on pop radio, especially given how much they had always believed in and felt proud of the song. She described it as another "pinch me" moment among many milestones. While acknowledging the amazing opportunities to travel the world, Eliza pointed to increased travel, lack of sleep, and missing family moments as the negative aspects of their immense popularity, a sacrifice inherent to their demanding schedule.

The band has also earned the unofficial title of "official Prime Video band," due to their music's prominent feature in Off Campus and the setting of another Prime Video show, Sterling Point, being Muskoka, where they recently played. When asked about a potential appearance in Off Campus Season 2, Miller confirmed there's "a chance," with Enman-McDaniel adding that they have informed the show's creators of their acting capabilities, though they haven't received a call yet. The possibility of their music being featured in the next season remains uncertain.

Reflecting on Toronto's music legacy, Jordan Miller expressed humility in being part of such a rich history. She noted that when The Beaches started, Toronto had a more vibrant music scene with numerous smaller venues supporting emerging bands. Unfortunately, this community is shrinking due to rising rent and venue closures. Despite this, she appreciated the opportunity to play local shows and connect with other bands in the city, feeling proud to come from a city that has fostered incredible musicians, including Metric, who produced their first full-length album, Late Show.

When describing a Beaches show, Eliza Enman-McDaniel emphasized the strong sense of community and "girlhood" felt by all attendees. She highlighted the authenticity of their performances, stemming from the four members being best friends having fun on stage, making everyone in the room feel like a friend. Jordan Miller succinctly summarized it as "a party," promising a fun night where attendees "might cry, but you're gonna have fun when you do."

Looking ahead, the band is already planning new music. While no specific release date has been announced, Jordan Miller confirmed they are taking about two months off after their final summer shows to recharge. In the new year, they plan to dedicate time to working on their next album, including a trip to Los Angeles for a couple of months for writing sessions. Fans can anticipate new material from The Beaches soon.