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Aly & AJ facts for kids
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Aly & AJ
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Aly & AJ performing in April 2021
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | 78violet (2009–2015) |
| Origin | Torrance, California, U.S |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels |
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| Members | |
Aly & AJ is a pop rock music group from the United States. It is made up of two sisters, Aly Michalka (born in 1989) and AJ Michalka (born in 1991). They are from Torrance, California.
In 2005, they released their first album, Into the Rush, after signing with Hollywood Records. This album sold very well and included popular songs like "Rush" and "Chemicals React". They then released more albums: Acoustic Hearts of Winter in 2006 and Insomniatic in 2007. Their song "Potential Breakup Song" from Insomniatic became a huge hit, selling over a million copies.
The sisters left their record label in 2010 and changed their group name to 78violet for a short time. They released one song called "Hothouse" in 2013. After a break, they went back to being called Aly & AJ. They released new music, including EPs (Extended Plays) like Ten Years (2017) and Sanctuary (2019). They also released studio albums such as A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun (2021) and With Love From (2023).
Contents
Music Journey
Starting Out: 2004–2006
Aly was 15 and AJ was 13 when they signed with Hollywood Records in 2004. They impressed the record company by playing six original songs they wrote. These songs were performed on their acoustic guitars while sitting on the floor of their bedroom.
Their first album, Into the Rush, came out on August 16, 2005. It quickly became popular, reaching number 36 on the US Billboard 200 chart. By March 2006, it was certified gold, meaning it sold over 500,000 copies.
The first song from the album was a cover of "Do You Believe in Magic". This song was used in the Disney Channel movie Now You See It..., which starred Aly. Another song, "No One", was featured in the Disney film Ice Princess. Other singles included "Walking on Sunshine" and "Never Far Behind". "Rush" was their first song to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "On the Ride" was also a single and was used in the Disney Channel movie Cow Belles, which starred both sisters.
Aly & AJ also worked on other projects for Walt Disney Records. They performed a concert in Hollywood in July 2005. In December 2005, they opened for the Cheetah Girls on their Christmas tour.
In August 2006, Into the Rush was re-released with new songs, including "Chemicals React". This song reached number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100. On September 26, 2006, they released their second album, Acoustic Hearts of Winter. This album featured new versions of classic Christmas music songs. It sold over 19,000 copies in its first week and was popular on the holiday music charts.
Big Hits: 2007–2008
Their third album, Insomniatic, was released on July 10, 2007. It was their most successful album debut, selling over 39,000 copies in its first week. This album had a new sound, mixing electropop, electronic rock, and dance-pop. They used more synthesizers and electronic instruments.
The main song from the album was "Potential Breakup Song". This song became their first top 20 hit in the United States, reaching number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. It sold over a million copies, earning a Platinum certification.
"Potential Breakup Song" was also popular in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Time magazine even called it one of the 10 Best Songs of 2007. They praised the sisters for writing such an honest song about teenage feelings.
In December 2007, Aly & AJ opened for Miley Cyrus on her Best of Both Worlds Tour. In 2008, they released "Like Whoa" as the second single from Insomniatic. This song was used to promote the Disney Channel movie Minutemen. They also covered the song "We're an American Band" for Randy Jackson's album.
New Name and New Beginnings: 2009–2016
In 2008, Aly & AJ started working on their fourth album. They said it would have a "rockier" sound. On July 8, 2009, they changed their group name to 78violet.
Their new album with Hollywood Records was finished but never released. In May 2010, they announced they were leaving the label. The first song under the 78violet name, "Belong Here", was released on the Hellcats TV show soundtrack in November 2010.
On May 2, 2013, Aly & AJ signed with Red Light Management. They released the song "Hothouse" on July 8, 2013. They performed live for the first time in five years at the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles. They planned to release an EP in 2014, but it didn't happen. The full "Hothouse" EP was later shared online. In 2020, they released it on vinyl for their fan club members.
In December 2015, the sisters decided to change their band name back to Aly & AJ.
Back to Music: 2017–2022
Their new song, "Take Me", was released on August 17, 2017. It was the first song from their EP Ten Years, which came out on November 17, 2017. Two songs from this EP were featured in Aly's TV show iZombie. In June 2018, they released another song called "Good Love". A special version of Ten Years was released in November 2018.
On March 29, 2019, they released "Church" as the first song from their second EP, Sanctuary. This EP was released on May 10, 2019, and they went on a tour to support it. They also released the songs "Attack of Panic" in February 2020 and "Joan of Arc on the Dance Floor" in May 2020. In December 2020, they put many of their songs from Ten Years and Sanctuary onto a collection album called We Don't Stop.
Their fourth studio album, A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun, was released on May 7, 2021. Before the album, they released the songs "Slow Dancing" and "Listen!!!".
"Potential Breakup Song" became very popular again on TikTok. Because of this, Aly & AJ re-recorded the song in December 2020, making both a clean and an explicit version. In July 2021, they performed at Lollapalooza for the first time. In 2022, they also re-recorded "Like Whoa" and "Chemicals React". In October 2022, they performed at Austin City Limits.
Recent Music: 2023–Present
Aly & AJ's fifth album, With Love From, was released on March 15, 2023. Songs like "With Love From", "Baby Lay Your Head Down", and "After Hours" were released before the album. Later in 2023, they released a Christmas music EP called Lonesome Dove.
In January 2025, the duo announced that "What It Feels Like" would be the first song from their sixth album, Silver Deliverer. The song was released on January 10, 2025. The album is planned for release in 2025.
Helping Others
Aly & AJ are involved in many causes to help people.
In 2019, they worked with HeadCount to help people register to vote at their concerts. They also teamed up with The Trevor Project, an organization that helps prevent suicide among young people in the LGBTQ+ community. They also supported Project HEAL, a charity that helps people get treatment for eating disorders. The duo donated signed items to raise money for these important causes.
In April 2019, the sisters wrote an article for Paper magazine. They shared their own experiences with depression and anxiety. They wanted to help people understand mental health better and reduce the shame around taking medication for it. Their article also talked about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth. In February 2020, they released the song "Attack of Panic", which is about anxiety and panic attacks.
In May 2020, the duo showed their support for Black Lives Matter on Twitter.
In June 2020, Aly & AJ hosted an all-night online fundraising event called "Up All Night with Aly & AJ". It included a live concert and talks with friends. They encouraged donations to 13 different charities, raising US$30,000. These charities included groups like Color of Change, National Independent Venue Association, Project HEAL, The Trevor Project, and the Red Cross.
In October 2020 and January 2021, they participated in events to support political candidates. They also supported Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
In summer 2021, they offered a chance for a fan to meet them if they supported their causes through Propeller.la.
Other Projects
Acting Roles
Both sisters have acted in movies and TV shows on their own. They have also worked together on some projects. They starred as sisters in the 2006 Disney Channel Original movie Cow Belles. The song "On the Ride" from their album Into The Rush was the movie's theme song.
They also starred in a Disney Channel TV pilot called Haversham Hall, but the show was not picked up for a full series. In 2015, they starred together in Weepah Way for Now, an independent comedy-drama film. Aly's husband, Stephen Ringer, wrote and directed the film. The sisters played characters based loosely on their own personalities and relationship. In 2022, they appeared in an episode of The Good Doctor as a sister act.
Merchandise
In 2007, Huckleberry Toys released special Hello Kitty Aly & AJ dolls. These dolls were sold at Target and Toys "R" Us stores.
Also in 2007, Frame Studios released The Aly & AJ Adventure game for the Nintendo DS. In this game, players act as their assistant, helping them record songs and direct a music video.
In June 2008, the duo released a series of adventure books called Aly & AJ's Rock 'n' Roll Mysteries. Each book described a mystery they solved in a different city while on tour. Aly drew the pictures in the books.
Performance Designed Products released Aly & AJ-designed guitars in November 2008. Aly's guitar had a pink heart-and-crossbones design, and AJ's guitar was shaped like the Aly & AJ heart logo with pink and purple zebra print. They launched the guitars at an event in California in October 2008. The duo also had their own lines of clothing, accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics.
Personal Beliefs
Aly & AJ have always been open about their faith. They have made music for both general audiences and the Christian music scene. Their song "Never Far Behind" was played on Christian rock radio and reached number 1 on the Christian CHR chart. However, the duo does not want to be known only as Christian music artists.
In March 2019, the duo shared on Twitter that they believe in evolution. In 2013, Aly said she supported school prayer as long as it was voluntary.
In May 2019, the duo said their faith had grown stronger. They also said they are not trying to force their beliefs on anyone through their music.
Discography
Studio albums
- Into the Rush (2005)
- Acoustic Hearts of Winter (2006)
- Insomniatic (2007)
- A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun (2021)
- With Love From (2023)
- Silver Deliverer (2025)
Extended plays
- Ten Years (2017)
- Sanctuary (2019)
- Lonesome Dove (2023)
Tours
Main Tours
- Mini Mall Tour (2005)
- Living Room Tour (2006)
- Holiday Season Tour (2006)
- Nextfest Summer Tour (2007) (Co-headlining with Corbin Bleu, Drake Bell and Bianca Ryan)
- Insomniatic Tour (2008)
- Mini Summer Tour (2008)
- Promises Tour (2018)
- Sanctuary Tour (2019)
- A Touch of the Beat Tour (2022)
- With Love From Tour (2023)
- Vibrant Tour (2024)
Supporting Tours
- The Cheetah Girls Cheetah-licious Christmas Tour (2005)
- Best of Both Worlds Tour (2008)
- Reverie Tour (2022)
- Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour (2024)
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
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| 2005 | Radio Disney Music Awards | Best Song You Can't Believe Your Parents Know the Words To | "Do You Believe in Magic" | Won |
| Best TV Movie Song | "Rush" | Won | ||
| Best Song to Listen to on the Way to School | "Walking on Sunshine" | Won | ||
| 2006 | American Music Awards | Contemporary Inspirational Artists of the Year | Into the Rush | Won |
| Radio Disney Music Awards | Best Group Made of Brothers/Sisters | Aly & AJ | Won | |
| Best Group | Nominated | |||
| Best Video That Rocks | "Chemicals React" | Nominated | ||
| Best Song to Listen to While Getting Ready for School | "Rush" | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Time magazine awards | 10 Best Songs of 2007 | "Potential Breakup Song" | 9th place |
| 2013 | Popdust Awards | Best Siblings in Pop | 78violet | Won |
| 2015 | Napa Film Festival | Special Jury Award (Acting in a Lounge Feature Film) | Aly & AJ in Weepah Way for Now | Won |
| 2021 | Trending: VMAs | Best Comeback Song | "Potential Breakup Song" | Won |
See also
In Spanish: Aly & AJ para niños