TMU alum goes global as music director for The Beaches
Creative Industries (opens in new window) ’21 alum Mat Landry is making waves in the global music scene as the Music Director for Canadian rock band, The Beaches (external link, opens in new window) . The band is one of the clients of Eights Creative, a production company he co-founded alongside fellow Creative Industries alum Nate Day (Creative Industries ’20).
The Beaches, a wildly popular Canadian rock band, are known for their blend of indie rock and pop, as well as their dynamic live performances and distinct lyrical voice. The Toronto-based group has earned widespread recognition, including becoming the first all-female band to win the Juno Award for Group of the Year three consecutive years (2024, 2025, 2026). They have also taken home Rock Album of the Year honours for No Hard Feelings (2026) and Blame My Ex (2024), bringing their total to seven JUNO Awards.
Their rise has been matched by a growing international presence, with standout performances on NPR Tiny Desk Concert (2025), Coachella (2025), and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2024, 2026), alongside chart-topping hits like Blame Brett and T-Shirt.
“Working with The Beaches has been an incredible masterclass in high-stakes collaboration and artistic vision,” says Landry. “It’s a privilege to help translate their very real and chaotic energy into a powerhouse live experience.” He adds that “seeing our collective work resonate with massive and diverse audiences globally has pushed me to elevate my own creative standards and reinforced the importance of authenticity in everything I produce.”
Mat Landry posing for a photo with The Beaches during a live DJ Set.
Reflecting on his time in TMU’s Creative Industries program, Landry credits the experience with shaping his approach to the industry. “The program, projects, profs, and colleagues taught me that being a successful creative involves more than just the final product; it’s also about understanding the process, community, infrastructure, systems, strategy, and the business behind the art,” he says. “My time at TMU provided the vocabulary and the strategic mindset I needed to navigate the complexities of the global entertainment industry with confidence.”
For current Creative Industries students, Landry emphasizes the value of relationships and initiative. “Your connections and community are everything,” he says. “The people around you, especially in your modules, will either be very well connected or at the top of their respective fields in the next 10-15+ years. Start building your community now!”
Mat Landry, Creative Industries at TMU alum (Class of 2021)
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.
