The Beaches & Dream Wife find themselves united by a common message in their recent singles – The Beaches viral hit ‘Blame Brett’ and latest single ‘Me & Me’ and Dream Wife’s ‘Hot (Don’t Date A Musician)’ serve up many tongue-in-cheek warnings others against the perils of dating musicians. Today, they make an exception to their rule – planning their ideal dates for each other in their respective home cities of Toronto and London. Here, the pair take us through many of the best spots and hidden gems their home turf has to offer, all whilst doing their best to avoid the temptation of musician-dense zones along the way…
The Beaches new album Blame My Ex is out September 15th via AWAL (pre-save here), AND Dream Wife’s latest album Social Lubrication is out now on Lucky Number.
Watch The Beaches latest video, “Blame Brett”…
Listen to Dream Wife’s Social Lubrication
The Beaches’ Toronto date – as told by frontperson Jordan Miller…
First of all, let me say that I think Toronto is a very slept on city. It’s not aesthetically pleasing, I also think it could do with a bit of better city planning, and a better public transit system. But, in my opinion, it’s one of the most fun places to explore in Canada. So here’s where I’d take my girl!
To begin our date, I’d like to take Rakel out for brunch at Bonjour Brioche – a fantastic pastry and boulangerie spot. It has amazing lattes, grapefruit mimosas and the best quiche Lorraine in the city.
Afterwards, I’d love to show her more of the East side of Toronto by taking her for a walk in the area where I grew up, The Beaches (the neighbourhood our band is named after). The Beaches area features beautiful parks, charming old houses, and of course a really lovely beach where we could tan or go paddle boarding if we so pleased. After my breakup last year, when I was really struggling with my mental health, going for very long walks in my old neighbourhood (sometimes micro dosing mushrooms) really helped me get through the day.
For dinner and drinks, I’d love to take Rakel to Bar Vendetta. The chef there, Jen Agg, is one of the best chefs in the city and this spot doesn’t disappoint. This restaurant features awesome Italian dishes and a wallpaper of iconic rock posters. I sometimes come here by myself for a quick drink and listen to Jen’s sick playlist. That’s L I V I N if you ask me.
Next is a Raptors Basketball game! While I’m actually more of a Blue Jays baseball team fan myself, I think a basketball game is a more lively and fun experience to bring someone new to the city. (Plus tall boys in the Raptors, come on!).
After the game ends I’d recommend grabbing drinks at either Ted’s Collision, or Mama’s Liquor and Lounge which are both on Dundas West. They’re my two favourite dive bars in the city. Both places have a cool atmosphere, and great deals on drinks. I’ve written many songs about partying around this part of Toronto, so it would be cool to share all the Easter eggs with my date and take them around to all the spots featured in our songs.
Finally, we’d cap the night off with Karaoke! Anywhere in Korea Town is really fun, there’s places that have private rooms, or full on bars where you can get up on stage and sing. Obviously I would insist on singing Nickelback, as a proud Canadian girl…
Dream Wife’s London date – as told by frontperson Rakel Mjöll…
Welcome hot date. Just step off the 106 bus on by Stoke Newington Church Street. You’re on the cusp of North London and East London now. A fairly quiet street where you’ll see yoga moms with green smoothies, fit dog walkers and their well groomed dogs and at times a handful of musicians who have managed to not be pushed out of the neighborhood by growing rent hikes. Well that’s London in general these days. When I moved to London in the glorious summer of 2016 I learned an important fact; that most musicians in their 20s, however commercially successful they were, would hang out in their local Wetherspoons rather than a smokey dim lit bar. So we walk past the Rochester spoons, because that’s not what we’re looking for on this date, another musician.
Let’s start at Camio Deli on Stoke Newington Church street for a takeaway sandwich. This ain’t just any sandwich, it’s what dreams are made of. A takeaway matcha latte too cuz it might get cold where we are heading next. Thanks to the couple that run the deli for their craft and off we go.
We cross the road and head to Abney Park Cemetery. Because nothing is more romantic and more reasonably priced than a sandwich in the cemetery date. As we walk through Abney park’s overgrown forests and long forgotten graves, it reminds us that our time here on earth is limited and there is beauty in simplicity. This isn’t my first rodeo here in the cemetery. I take you to my favourite spot; a bench hidden by a small pathway. This is where I come to write in my diary or call my mother. We sit there whilst we dine on our sandwiches, giving a crumb or two to the little sparrows that flock around us. On this bench we talk about death, life, trees and all in between. The scene has been set.
It’s getting a bit chilly so we decide to move on to the next location. ‘Have you ever been to Cafe Oto in Dalston in the daytime?’ I ask. Known for experimental gigs within an intimate setting in the evenings. The daytime ease is also a treat. The tables outside are excellent for people watching. We’ve each brought our own book because nothing is more romantic than reading next to each other. Silence is key. I’ve had my 2nd Club-mate beverage at this point and can feel the caffeine rush, my hands are trembling and its trickier to read my book so it’s time to venture to the next spot.
We walk through London Fields and bump into way too many musicians on their way to their studios. Tempted to leave this date, to see what they’re working on and chat about music but alas I’ve made this commitment so we keep on walking. Sit down at Koya for some noodles and catch the last sun rays outside. I wonder if my date is cold and is being too polite to tell me. We’ve been outside the majority of this day…
It’s getting dark and my friends text me saying they’ve left their studios and heading to the Spurstowe Arms for a drink and a howl. I suggest we pop in. It’s rowdy, it’s fun, it’s maybe too much vibe compared to the one-and-one intimacy we’ve been experiencing all day. My date says they gotta head back to West London but this was fun. We say our goodbyes and I join my table of friends in the pub garden. “So how was your date?” they ask. “Please don’t tell me it was another musician! For the love of god woman can you please change your type?’’