The Beaches formed in 2013 and have had a steady rise to fame since. They’ve won group and album awards at the JUNOs, as well as the SOCAN Songwriting Prize, and have opened for artists like The Rolling Stones, The Glorious Suns, and Passion Pit. The group has also taken off on social media with millions of streams and plays across Spotify and Tik Tok.
Lead vocalist and bassist Jordan Miller recently took time out of the band’s busy schedule to answer some of our questions:
How has your songwriting evolved over the years? Are there any specific places or experiences that inspire your writing and production?
Jordan: I’m a very visually minded person, so when I began songwriting my lyrics really reflected that – they were very visceral and poetic and non-literal. I think as we’ve grown as songwriters our lyrics have become much more literal, they look more like diary entries now.
What’s a surprising non-musical influence that has impacted your music?
J: I guess my dreams. One of my favourite songs [of ours], ‘Highway 6’, was written about a sex dream with a faceless man.
What’s a piece of advice you wish you could give to your younger selves when you first started out in the music scene?
J: Trust your gut. A lot of people will try to tell you what’s cool, or what’s commercially viable, or what will get you attention or fame or whatever. But at the end of the day, if you don’t like the art that your putting out, you’re the one whose name is attached and you’ll be the one who suffers. Make things that make you happy.
What has been the most unexpected challenge you’ve faced as a band and how did you navigate it?
J: I would say COVID provided a bunch of unforeseen challenges to our industry (as it did to basically everyone else’s). When life throws you challenges, or curve balls, you just have to rely on the people that you work with, be tenacious and try new things. We couldn’t play any shows, so we started using online platforms to release new music and engage with our fans.
The music industry in all its parts has been historically male dominated. How do you think you’ve navigated this and what are some moments where you felt empowered as women in this industry?
J: Being in a band has really made it easier to deal with misogyny, I honestly can’t imagine being a solo female artist. When fucked up things happen it helps to lean on and get support and encouragement from the other strong women in your group.
What are some ways you protect your mental and creative well-being in an industry that can be intense and demanding?
J: This seems basic but like going for walks. Being in a band and dealing with the world the way we do can be awesome but it can also be isolating. It’s sometimes nice just to walk and engage with other humans and remember that the world doesn’t revolve around you.
You have had a massive year in the Canadian music scene, winning Rock Album and Group of the Year at the 2024 Junos as well as releasing your new song, ‘Jocelyn’. Where do you see The Beaches in 2025? In 5 years?
J: I don’t want to jinx it but I’d love to play Glastonbury.
Can you recommend us a song for Karma!’s playlist?
J: ‘Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden’ by Valley
What colour would represent your music?
J: Red!
Get your tickets now for The Beaches at the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls on 6th of February 2025.
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