Aly & AJ

Aly & AJ are a teen pop duo consisting of sisters Alyson Renae "Aly" Michalka and Amanda Joy "AJ" Michalka. They were born in Torrance, California, but spent part of their childhood in Seattle, Washington. They are both actresses, singer-songwriters, and guitarists. MTV also premiered their latest movie, Super Sweet 16: The Movie, on July 8, 2007.

[edit] Early years

Aly and AJ have had an interest for music since they were very young. "I think it started when we were three and five. Just singing in church together and in school plays," Aly said.[4] That later moved onto just AJ as Aly started to act very early, when AJ was nine years old. The sisters both live in a gated community in Calabasas, California with their parents. Their mother, Carrie Michalka, used to sing in a Christian group called "J.C. Band", Alyson also had a starring role in Phil of the Future on the Disney Channel alongside Ricky Ullman.

[edit] Music

Aly & AJ's debut album, Into the Rush, went Platinum as of May 2007. The song "No One" was featured in the Disney motion picture Ice Princess. The song "Do You Believe in Magic", written and originally recorded by The Lovin' Spoonful, added a rock edge. This cover was used in the soundtrack of the made-for-TV Disney Channel original movie, Now You See It, in which Alyson held the starring role of Allison. Also, their cover of Katrina and the Waves' "Walking on Sunshine" was used in the Disney motion picture Herbie: Fully Loaded. They have been involved in various Walt Disney Records projects, some of which are covers. These include soundtracks and compilations and are primarily "Rush" was also featured on Movietunes.
The "Aly & AJ Concert" took place on July 24, 2005 at the Henry Fonda theater located in Hollywood, California. The aired concert was cut to five songs and interviews (filmed October 15 and October 16, 2005). The concert included songs from Into the Rush. Aly and AJ opened for The Cheetah Girls in December 2005 on the girls' "Cheetah-licious Christmas Tour".
On September 19, 2006, Aly and AJ were nominated for "Contemporary Inspirational Artist of the Year" (also known as Christian Artist of the Year) for the 2006 American Music Awards, which were held on November 21, 2006. They did not take home the award. Gospel R&B artist Kirk Franklin took the award for his first time instead. Besides being nominated for an award, they introduced Nelly Furtado's performance of her new song ("Say It Right") along with 2006's Dancing With the Stars runner-up Mario Lopez.
On September 26, 2006, their album, Acoustic Hearts of Winter was released. On this album, Aly and AJ perform traditional Christmas songs, including "Joy to the World" and "Silent Night", as well as original songs, "Greatest Time of Year" and "Not This Year".
On May 8, 2007, they released a brief clip of their new single called "Potential Breakup Song". The full song is currently available for request on Radio Disney, and available for download on iTunes as part of their new album, Insomniatic. The album was released on July 10, 2007. Time magazine named "Potential Breakup Song" one of The 10 Best Songs of 2007, ranking it at #9. Writer Josh Tyrangiel singled out the lyrics in the bridge: "This is the Potential Breakup Song/ Our album needs just one/ Oh baby please”, and praised the authenticity of its having been written by the teenage sisters who sing it.[5][6]
AJ has stated that the song "Something More" is about her and her first boyfriend.[7]
On November 28 2007, Ami Suzuki released a new version of "Potential Breakup Song", produced by Japanese DJ and musician SUGIURUMN, featuring a collaboration with Aly and AJ. Ami, alongside the girls, performed a live version of the song on Japanese television.
In December 2007, It was announced that Aly & AJ will replace the Jonas Brothers as the opening act for the extension of the Hannah Montana Best of Both Worlds Tour starting January 11.
In January 2008, Aly & AJ performed a cover of KT Tunstall's "Black Horse & the Cherry Tree" on Yahoo's Pepsi Smash video site.[8] Also, Aly & AJ performed their new single "Like Whoa" in the movie Minutemen. Billboard also confirmed the girls are working on a third studio album, to be released at the end of 2008 or early 2009, aside from the films they both are filming.[9]

[edit] Other occupations

[edit] Religion

Along with making music for the mainstream audience, Aly & AJ, who are both very open about their faith, have become significant in the Christian music rock scene. "Never Far Behind" was only released on Christian rock radio. It went to #1 on Radio & Records (R&R) Christian CHR.
Although Aly & AJ are both very open about their Christian faith, they do not want to be labeled as Christian music artists. In an interview with Blender magazine in June 2006, the girls said that their music comes from a Christian perspective. "We don't ever wanna preach or shove anything down people's throats, but we want our music to be inspiring."[10]
In an interview with Blender magazine, the two expressed their disbelief in the theory of evolution, with the interviewer asking what their thoughts were. When asked if they accepted evolution, AJ responded, "No," and Aly responded, "Are they teaching that in schools now?" When told that it had been taught for the last quarter of the century, she replied, “I think that’s kind of disrespectful, anything that has to do with anybody’s beliefs on religion, that should stay out of the classroom. I mean, I think people should be able to pray in school, if people were into that. Everybody should just do their own gig", and AJ added "Evolution is silly. Monkeys? Um, no."[10]

[edit] Licensing

Huckleberry Toys released Limited Edition Hello Kitty Aly & AJ dolls to selected Target stores. [4] Toys R Us is currently selling a line of the dolls which have been available since November 15, 2007.[11]

[edit] Charity work

Aly & AJ are co-chairpersons for the Children's Advisory Board of the AmberWatch Foundation, and have performed at a benefit concert to raise money for the charity.[12]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Singles

• 2005: "Rush"
• 2006: "Chemicals React"
• 2006: "Greatest Time of Year"
• 2007: "Potential Breakup Song"
• 2008: "Like Whoa"

[edit] Filmography

Year	Title	Aly's role	AJ's role	Notes
2006	Haversham Hall	Hope Mason	Sam Tillar	Pilot was not picked up.
2006	Cow Belles	Taylor Callum	Courtney Callum	made for television (Disney Channel)
2007	Super Sweet 16: The Movie	Taylor Tiara	Sarah Conners	made for television (MTV Films)

[edit] Notes and references

[edit] External links

• Official Site
• Official Hollywood Records site
• Official MySpace Page

[hide] Aly & AJStudio albums Other albums Main singles Other singles Filmography Related articles

Alyson Michalka · Amanda Michalka

Into the Rush · Insomniatic

Acoustic Hearts of Winter

"Rush" · "Chemicals React" · "Greatest Time of Year" · "Potential Breakup Song" · "Like Whoa"

"Do You Believe in Magic" · "No One" · "Walking on Sunshine" · "Never Far Behind" · "On the Ride" · "Shine" · "Something More"

Cow Belles · Super Sweet 16: The Movie

Discography · Aly & AJ: On the Ride