Aly & AJ

Infobox musical artist
Name = Aly & AJ


Img_capt = Aly & AJ performing at the Taste of Chicago Festival, July 6, 2008
Background = group_or_band
Alias = Aly & A.J.
Origin = Torrance, California, United States
Genre = Teen pop, [ [http://shop.mtv.com/viewproduct.htm;jsessionid=A575E49B87DE79DE1B16A488BDAC0E0D?productId=5532055 Acoustic Hearts of Winter] from MTV, obtained December 27, 2006.] alternative rock, [ [http://shop.vh1.com/Insomniatic-Front-Page_stcVVproductId16229699VVcatId422762VVviewprod.htm Adult Alternative Pop/Rock - Insomniatic Aly & AJ / CD / 2007 ] ] dance-pop, [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jnfrxqrsldhe allmusic ((( Into the Rush > Overview ))) ] ] pop rock, contemporary Christian
Years_active = 2004 — present
Label = Hollywood Records
URL = [http://www.alyandaj.com/ AlyAndAJ.com]
Current_members = Alyson Michalka
Amanda Michalka

Aly & AJ are a teen pop band 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.

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. [Interview that was part of the aired Aly and AJ concert.] 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. then they got a record deal with hollywood records.

Music

2005-2006: "Into the Rush"

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 Aly held the starring role of Allyson. Also, their cover of Katrina and the Waves' "Walking on Sunshine" was used in the Walt Disney motion picture "". They have been involved in various Walt Disney Records projects, some of which are covers. These include soundtracks and compilations, and are primarily "Rush". "Rush" has been featured on the Disney Channel Original Movie, "Twitches", and on many other soundtracks and compilations from Walt Disney and Hollywood Records.

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 & AJ opened for The Cheetah Girls in December 2005 on the girls' "Cheetah-licious Christmas Tour".

The album was re-released in August 2006 with three new songs, including the hit, "Chemicals React", and two new versions of "Collapsed" and "Something More". It was released with an all new cover and was the group's second CD to be released in the UK physically.

2006-2007: "Acoustic Hearts of Winter"

On September 26, 2006, their album, "Acoustic Hearts of Winter", was released. On this album, Aly & 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". In late 2007 Aly and AJ had recorded three more Christmas originals to add to the deluxe edition of the album.

2007-2008: "Insomniatic"

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. [Tyrangiel, Josh; "The Best Top 10 Lists of the Year"; "The 10 Best Songs"; "Time" magazine; December 24, 2007; Page 39.] [ [http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/top10/article/0,30583,1686204_1686244_1690706,00.html "Time" magazine's Top 10 Songs of 2007 at time.com] ]

In December 2007, the news was revealed that Aly & AJ would be replacing the Jonas Brothers as the opening act for the extension of the Hannah Montana Best of Both Worlds Tour from January 11 - January 24. In early January 2008, Aly & AJ performed a cover of KT Tunstall's "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" on Yahoo!'s Pepsi Smash video site. [ [http://music.yahoo.com/promo-42778155-53-20071105- "Black Horse & the Cherry Tree" video at Yahoo! Music] ] The cover is also featured on the Japanese re-release of "Insomniatic", recorded at Abbey Road Sessions.

2008-present: Fourth album

Billboard confirmed the girls are working on a fourth studio album, to be released sometime in 2009, [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003694943 Aly & AJ Writing New Songs, Plot Films] . "Billboard". January 10, 2008.] aside from the films they both are filming (Alyson in "Bandslam" with Vanessa Hudgens and AJ in "The Lovely Bones".). It will have around 14 songs. They mentioned, in an interview on Radio Disney on April 23, 2008, they are going for a rockier sound, and this time, want to sing separately (as in not harmonize their voices), to let fans know who is singing. [ [http://www.alyajreaction.com Aly & AJ On Radio Disney] . "Aly & AJ Reaction". April 24, 2008.] On October 7, the yet untitled album had been confirmed to be released in April 2009. [ [http://www.alyajreaction.com/index.php?subaction=showcomments&id=1223393633&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1& "April Rules!!"] . "Aly & AJ Reaction". October 9, 2008.]

Personal life

On June 26, 2008, an Ohio man named Rex Mettler was arrested for stalking the duo. The Lancaster man "obtained contact information for the acting and singing duo and made threats online, by phone and handwritten notes" as stated by the police. [http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/b144537_alleged_aly_aj_stalker_arraigned.html "Alleged Aly & AJ Stalker Arraigned".] Accessed June 27, 2008.]

Other occupations

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 and 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." [http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=1937 Tweenage Riot.] "Blender" magazine, June 2006.]

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."
* Aly & AJ was nominated in September 2006 for "Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist of the Year" at the 2006 American Music Awards, but lost the award to Kirk Franklin during the November 21 presentation. [http://abc.go.com/specials/ama06.html 2006 American Music Awards.] Accessed December 11, 2006.]

Licensing

Huckleberry Toys released Limited Edition Hello Kitty Aly & AJ dolls to selected Target stores. [ [http://www.alyandaj.com/boards/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26007] ] Toys R Us is currently selling a line of the dolls which have been available since November 15, 2007. On November 8, 2007, the official biography of the girls was released with behind the scenes information, photos and interviews. On November 20, 2007, "The Aly & AJ Adventure" game was brought out, for use on the Nintendo DS. In the game, the player plays their assistant, helping them record songs, direct music video etc.

As of June 12, 2008, the duo started releasing their own paperback adventure books, called "Aly & AJ's Rock 'n' Roll Mysteries", each part describing Aly & AJ on tour, every book describing a mystery in a different city. The drawings in the books were done by Aly. The first two ("First Stop, New York" and "Mayhem in Miami") were released on June 12, the third installment ("Singing in Seattle") on September 2, and the last ("Nashville Nights") went to stores on October 4, 2008.

PDP (Performance Designed Products) is also set to release Aly & AJ-designed guitars that are compatible with MTV's "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero" on November 3, 2008. Aly's guitar features a heart-and-crossbones print in pink and AJ's guitar is in the shape of the Aly & AJ heart logo featuring bright pink and purple zebra print.

Aly & AJ will launch the guitars on October 11, 2008 during event at Universal Studios CityWalk in California. Players will be given a chance to perform Rock Band on stage using the Girl Guitars. Three finalist teams will be selected and will perform for the duo. The sisters will then select the winning team to play Rock Band on stage with them.

Charity work

Aly and 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. [http://www.amberwatchfoundation.org/alyandaj/ AmberWatch Foundation official site.] ] The duo also walked a fashion show for the Race to Erase MS show in early May 2008, showing their support.

Discography

*2005: "Into the Rush"
*2006: "Acoustic Hearts of Winter"
*2007: "Insomniatic"
*2009: "Fourth Studio Album"

Dual filmography

References

External links

* [http://www.alyandaj.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.youtube.com/alyandaj Aly & AJ Official YouTube Channel]
* [http://www.myspace.com/alyandaj Aly & AJ Official MySpace]
*imdb name|id=1425528|name=Alyson Michalka
*imdb name|id=1404488|name=Amanda Michalka