The Beaches Think Local Artists Get "Stuck" in Canada

"Often, people have to kind of hide the fact that they're from Canada, go somewhere else to get big"

Photo: Becca Hamel

BY Ben OkazawaPublished Nov 20, 2023

Following the TikTok success of "Blame Brett" that helped Toronto pop-rock outfit the Beaches gain steam south of the border recently, the group have revealed how important it was for them as a Canadian band to see their American fanbase grow.

"It was so validating," backup vocalist and guitarist Kylie Miller told The Line of Best Fit. "And like, not any disrespect to Canada because we're so grateful to have had our start there, but a lot of bands do get stuck. It's really hard as Canadian artists to break out over here [in America] because the market in the US is so competitive."

Drummer Eliza Enman-McDaniel also chimed in, expressing how rarely she sees Canadian artists translate local buzz to international success.

"Often, people have to kind of hide the fact that they're from Canada, go somewhere else to get big, and then be like, 'Hey, surprise, I'm Canadian!'" she said. "Like, it's not super common to see a band that gets big in Canada and then goes somewhere else."

While the Beaches' time based in L.A. while signed to Island Records, and homegrown Canadian artists like Rush, Anne Murray and the Weeknd all might contradict Enman-McDaniel's point, it's true that the group enjoyed much of their early success in Toronto. 

The band has also never shied away from claiming the city as their hometown, as they've asserted in their promotion for their upcoming show at Budweiser Stage with local acts Dizzy, Valley and New West

Tour Dates

Latest Coverage