How ‘Off Campus’ Helped The Beaches’ Queer Anthem “Edge of the Earth” Get Its Second Wind

“Wait have you heard of The Beaches?” Off Campus’ leading lady Hannah Wells asks her hockey playing beau Garrett Graham in the second episode of the soap romance drama. “Their Coachella set will change your life.”

That one bit of dialogue in Prime Video’s hockey romance drama, a certified hit for the streamer, has given the all-female Canadian rock band, a bump like no other. The group, comprising members Jordan Miller, Kylie Miller, Leandra Earl and Eliza Enman-McDaniel, and the song featured in the show, “Edge of the Earth” have exploded over the last nearly two months.

“We’re having a second chance at life, some might say,” Earl says on a recent call with The Hollywood Reporter. The comment causes her fellow bandmate to immediately chime in. “Jesus Christ. Don’t quote her on that,” Jordan Miller says lightheartedly.

While calling it a second chance at life might be a bit dramatic, the band is certainly reaching new heights thanks to the show. Since Off Campus’ May 13 release, the group has gained over 5 million monthly listeners on Spotify. “You never really expect anything to go off like that and it is really exciting when it does,” says Jordan Miller. “We knew about the show, but I don’t think any one of us could have predicted for it to go like this.”

As Kylie Miller points out, needle drops in recent years haven’t made as big of an impact as they have recently — look at what another hockey show, Heated Rivarly, did for t.A.T.u.’s “All The Things She Said” and Harrison’s cover of it. “This feels reminiscent of a time of The OC and Gossip Girl, where the shows actually had an impact of breaking bands,” she says. “To be a part of this new wave of a lot of women, a lot of queer folks, on a TV show about fucking hockey players is absolutely iconic.”

The band always knew that “Edge of the Earth” was special, similar to the way their 2023 song “Blame Brett,” and it had become a fan favorite. Earl has always looked at the song as a queer anthem. “[It’s] a queer love song about my ex-girlfriend, so for it to now be the yearning song between this young girl and a hockey bro, it’s kind of amazing,” she says.“It’s a love song and a song for yearning for anybody. The only person who’s upset is my ex-girlfriend.”

Earl had seen her ex-girlfriend at that the gym the morning of this conversation, and the song was a topic of discussion. “She was telling all of the coaches at our gym this morning, ‘This was my song, this is my queer anthem, and now straight people get it,”

She adds, ”I was like, ‘Come on, babe. Be an ally.’”

The bump they’ve received from Off Campus has given more than just “Edge of the Earth” a bump. “Our whole discography has kind of picked up, so it’s really cool to see people listening to all of the music we’ve put out,” Enman-McDaniel says.

“‘Last Girls At The Party’ and ‘Blame Brett are also streaming pretty well right now,” she continues. The drummer notes that their viral moment is “times six” of what their viral “Blame Brett” moment was, which she describes as “massive” for the group.

It’s not only the increase in streams that the band’s gained, it’s also exposed them to a new audience. The group’s fanbase has largely skewed 20s and 30s. Now, they’re noticing a younger demographic tuning in, one that they assume, globally, just hadn’t known they were out there.

“I think they’re just discovering the band and falling in love with us,” Kylie Miller says. Off Campus came at the perfect time, as the group released the deluxe version of their album, No Hard Feelings, just weeks after the show premiered.

They also just set out on the road with former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson. They’re opening for his tour throughout the month of July and are excited to see how this newfound attention translates to their live show. “We’re seeing a lot of comments and a lot of hits on that tour, so I think people will buy tickets to come see us,” says Jordan Miller.

With added eyes on the band, one might assume there’s added pressure. But The Beaches isn’t looking to waste too much time on that. “In the position we’re in, being this up and coming band, there’s always pressure to keep creating and putting out new music,” Enman-McDaniel says. Their main focus remains making the best music they can.

“We’re already are super excited about some of the songs that we have [for the next album]. They’re not done, but already in the state they’re in, I’m so stoked on them,” she continues. “It’s just a good opportunity to showcase these new fans exactly what we’re all about.”

Of course, now that “Edge of the Earth” has had it’s viral moment, they’re thinking about what other song could be their next big sync. “Last Girls at the Party” and “Lesbian of the Year” are thrown around between the bandmates.

“I kind of was hoping Heated Rivalry would have a whisper of lesbian that they could put that in,” says Earl. Jacob Tierney, The Beaches has a great season two pitch for you.

“If season two wants a lesbian, I will go on there, act and then play our song, whatever they need,” Earl continues. Adds Jordan Miller, “Leandra will learn how to skate.”