The Beaches: From Toronto Garage Rock to Juno Award Winners
When sisters Jordan and Kylie Miller formed a teenage pop-punk band in Toronto with drummer Eliza Enman-McDaniel in 2009, they could hardly have imagined their journey would lead to sharing stages with The Rolling Stones and becoming one of Canada's most celebrated rock acts. Originally called Done with Dolls, the group underwent a transformation that would define their career trajectory.
The pivotal moment came in 2013 when guitarist Megan Fitchett departed, and the remaining members recruited Leandra Earl from Toronto's Little Italy neighborhood. This lineup change coincided with a complete reinvention - they renamed themselves The Beaches after the Toronto neighborhood where most members grew up, and shifted from pop-punk to a more sophisticated alternative rock sound that would become their signature.
Their evolution accelerated after signing with Universal Records in 2016. The band's debut album Late Show, produced by Metric's Emily Haines and James Shaw, marked their arrival as a serious force in Canadian rock. The album's standout track T-Shirt became a defining moment, reaching number one on Billboard's Canada Rock chart and eventually earning Gold certification. This success culminated in The Beaches winning the 2018 Juno Award for Breakthrough Group of the Year.
The band's musical style blends indie rock with dance rock elements, incorporating post-punk revival and garage rock influences. Their sound evolved through subsequent EPs The Professional and Future Lovers, which were later combined into the compilation Sisters Not Twins. This collection earned them another Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year in 2022, cementing their status in Canada's music landscape.
However, it was their 2023 single Blame Brett that catapulted The Beaches to new heights. The song, inspired by lead singer Jordan Miller's breakup with Brett Emmons of The Glorious Sons, went viral on TikTok and introduced the band to a younger, broader audience. The track showcased a poppier direction while maintaining their rock credentials, spending four weeks at number one on Canada's Rock chart and gaining significant American radio play.
The success of Blame Brett transformed their touring prospects, with their 2023 North American tour selling out venues and including a coveted Lollapalooza performance. Their second album Blame My Ex became their first to chart on Billboard's Canadian Albums chart, peaking at number 76 and winning the 2024 Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year.
The Beaches have proven their staying power by winning consecutive Juno Awards for Group of the Year in 2024 and 2025. Their journey from teenage musicians to established rock stars reflects both their musical growth and their ability to adapt while maintaining their authentic sound. With their 2025 album No Hard Feelings and continued touring success, including memorable performances opening for The Rolling Stones, The Beaches have established themselves as torchbearers for the next generation of Canadian rock music.
