Podcast Summary: All Of It – The Beaches Perform Live From Their New Album 'No Hard Feelings'

Introduction to The Beaches and Their Journey In the latest episode of All Of It hosted by Alison Stewart from WNYC, listeners are treated to an intimate and engaging session with the Canadian rock band, The Beaches. Formed in Toronto, The Beaches have been a staple in the rock scene for over a decade. Their breakthrough came with the 2023 anthem "Blame Brett," which catapulted them into the global spotlight, garnering millions of listeners and setting the stage for their forthcoming third album, No Hard Feelings, set to release on August 29, 2025. The band, comprising sisters Jordan and Kylie Miller, Leandra Earle on keyboards and guitar, and drummer Eliza McDaniel, showcased their dynamic range through acoustic performances and insightful discussions about their musical journey.

Viral Success of "Blame Brett" "Blame Brett" marked a pivotal moment for The Beaches. During the podcast, Leandra Earle shared, “We noticed when Leandra posted it, the original TikTok... and then, like, we just saw the numbers start jumping and jumping” (05:34). This viral success wasn't overnight; it grew substantially over a year and a half, transforming the band’s trajectory exponentially. Kylie Miller reflected on the song’s universal appeal, stating, “I think we got lucky... something that was about to hit everybody.” The song's relatability, dealing with themes of heartbreak and vulnerability, resonated deeply across diverse audiences, making it a staple in their live performances.

Formation and Evolution of The Beaches The band's origins trace back to childhood, with Jordan and Kylie Miller starting to play together at the ages of six and seven. Eliza McDaniel joined the band in grade seven, complementing the group with her self-taught drumming skills. Leandra Earle, a fan of their previous incarnation, Done With Dolls, brought her musicianship to The Beaches, helping to shape their evolving sound. “We started playing when six... and we really didn’t like guitar lessons... we learned three chords and we had a dream” (08:35), Kylie reminisced, highlighting the band’s grassroots beginnings focused on creativity over formal training.

Creating "No Hard Feelings": Themes and Process No Hard Feelings delves deeply into themes of breakups and personal growth, with each member contributing from their own experiences. Leandra Earle explained, “This record is really about having therapy with your best friends... it was a really collaborative experience” (12:18). Kylie Miller emphasized the album's conversational nature, likening it to the dynamic among friends in the original Sex and the City series, aiming to create a relatable and heartfelt narrative through their music. The album serves as a collective debrief of their individual and shared experiences, fostering a sense of community and emotional honesty.

The Shift to an Independent Label Transitioning from major labels to an independent label, AWOL, The Beaches gained greater creative control over their music. Leandra Earle articulated the significance of this shift: “We wanted to see if we could do this ourselves... have full control of our project” (18:50). Kylie Miller added, “With this, we can slowly premiere new music on TikTok... let the fans have a bit of a say” (19:50). This move not only empowered them to select their own singles but also allowed for a more authentic and undiluted artistic expression, aligning their work more closely with their personal and collective visions.

Embracing Identity in Songwriting The Beaches have increasingly infused their music with diverse perspectives, reflecting their identities as queer women. Kylie Miller shared, “We write music for the girls, gays, and theys” (21:39), underscoring the importance of representation in their work. Eliza McDaniel highlighted the band's commitment to inclusive storytelling, stating, “It's important to share, like, that’s how you make real change” (22:42). By incorporating a variety of experiences and identities, The Beaches ensure that their music resonates with a broader audience, fostering a sense of belonging and recognition among their fans.

Upcoming Performances and New Releases Looking ahead, The Beaches are set to perform at the Governor's Ball at Flushing Meadows Park, bringing their new singles and acoustic renditions to a live audience. They teased new tracks from No Hard Feelings, including "Last Girls at the Party" and an exclusive premiere of a new song live on the show. Jordan Miller expressed excitement about the new material, “This is exciting” (24:16), while Kylie Miller promised a blend of emotional depth and energetic performances, inviting fans to experience the full spectrum of their music.

Live Performances: "Blame Brett" and "Last Girls at the Party" Throughout the episode, The Beaches delivered compelling live renditions of their songs. The acoustic performance of "Blame Brett" exhibited their raw emotionality and tight harmonies, drawing listeners into the heartfelt narrative. Later, "Last Girls at the Party" showcased their ability to blend catchy melodies with introspective lyrics, further cementing their place in the rock genre.

Conclusion All Of It provided a comprehensive and immersive look into The Beaches' world, highlighting their rise to fame, creative processes, and the significance of their latest work. Through candid conversations and live performances, Alison Stewart facilitated a space where The Beaches could authentically share their stories and connect with their audience, embodying the essence of culture and its consumers that the show champions.

Notable Quotes:

• Leandra Earle on viral success: “We saw the numbers start jumping” (05:34)
• Kylie Miller on the universal appeal of "Blame Brett": “Something that was about to hit everybody” (07:00)
• Eliza McDaniel on joining the band: “It fit so well. It felt so natural” (09:40)
• Kylie Miller on the album’s conversational nature: “Like a conversation amongst all of us” (13:00)
• Leandra Earle on inclusive storytelling: “So I think it was really important to us to include some queer storytelling” (22:49)

Note: Timestamps are referenced in the summary to highlight when significant discussions and quotes occurred within the podcast transcript.