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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, Alyson "Aly" Michalka (born in 1989) and Amanda Joy "AJ" Michalka (born in 1991). They are from Torrance, California.
They signed with Hollywood Records and released their first album, Into the Rush, in 2005. This album became very popular and included songs like "Rush" and "Chemicals React". They then released more albums: Acoustic Hearts of Winter in 2006 and Insomniatic in 2007. The album Insomniatic featured their hit song "Potential Breakup Song". This song was very successful and reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 2010, they left their record label and changed their name for a short time to 78violet. They released a song called "Hothouse" in 2013. After a break from music, the sisters went back to being called Aly & AJ. They released new music, including the EPs Ten Years (2017) and Sanctuary (2019). They also released studio albums like A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun (2021), With Love From (2023), and Silver Deliverer (2025).
Contents
Music Journey
Early Years: First Albums (2004–2006)
In 2004, Aly was 15 and AJ was 13 years old. They signed a music contract with Hollywood Records. They got this deal after showing off six original songs they wrote and played on acoustic guitar.
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 many copies.
The first song from the album was a cover of "Do You Believe in Magic". This song was used in a Disney Channel movie called Now You See It..., which starred Aly. It became a hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart. Another song, "No One", was featured in the Disney movie Ice Princess.
Other songs like "Walking on Sunshine" and "Never Far Behind" were also released. "Never Far Behind" even charted on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs list. In February 2006, "Rush" was released. It was their first song to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "On the Ride" was released in March 2006 and was featured in the Disney Channel movie Cow Belles, which also starred Aly & AJ.
The sisters were part of many Walt Disney Records projects. They performed a concert in Hollywood in July 2005. They also opened for the Cheetah Girls on their Christmas tour in December 2005. In August 2006, Into the Rush was re-released with new songs, including "Chemicals React". This song also charted 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 debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Top Holiday Albums chart.
New Sound: Insomniatic (2007–2008)
Aly & AJ's third album, Insomniatic, came out on July 10, 2007. It was their highest-charting album, reaching number 15 on the Billboard 200. This album had a different sound, using more electronic music styles like electropop and dance-pop.
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 award.
"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. In December 2007, Aly & AJ opened for Miley Cyrus on her Best of Both Worlds Tour. In March 2008, "Like Whoa" was released as the second song from Insomniatic. It was used to promote the Disney Channel movie Minutemen. That year, they also covered the song "We're an American Band" for Randy Jackson's album.
Name Change and New Beginnings (2009–2016)
In early 2008, Aly & AJ started working on their fourth album. They wanted a more "rock" sound and planned to sing separately more often. In July 2009, they changed their group name to 78violet. They finished their new album, but it was never released by Hollywood Records. In May 2010, they announced they had left the label.
The first song released under the 78violet name was "Belong Here" in November 2010. This song was the theme for the TV show Hellcats. 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 (Extended Play) in 2014, but it did not happen.
In December 2015, the sisters changed their band name back to Aly & AJ.
Back to Music (2017–Present)
A new song called "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. Some songs from this EP were featured in Aly's TV show iZombie. In June 2018, they released the song "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, which came out on May 10. They went on a North American tour to support the EP. 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, songs from their EPs and other singles were put together on 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. Songs like "Slow Dancing" and "Listen!!!" were released before the album. Their old hit "Potential Breakup Song" became popular again on TikTok. Because of this, Aly & AJ released new versions of the song in December 2020, including a clean version and an explicit version. In July 2021, the duo performed at Lollapalooza for the first time. In 2022, they re-recorded other songs like "Like Whoa" and "Chemicals React". In October 2022, they performed at Austin City Limits.
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.
Their sixth album, Silver Deliverer, was released on May 2, 2025. Songs like "What It Feels Like" and "Next To Nothing" were released before the album. The duo is scheduled to tour starting in September 2025.
Making a Difference
Aly & AJ use their music and voices to support important causes. They believe in fairness and equality for everyone.
In 2019, they worked with HeadCount to help people register to vote at their concerts. They also partnered with The Trevor Project, an organization that helps young people in the LGBTQ+ community. They also supported Project HEAL, which helps people get treatment for eating disorders. They often donate signed items to raise money for these causes.
In April 2019, the sisters shared their own experiences with depression and anxiety in an article for Paper magazine. They did this to help people understand mental health better and reduce any negative feelings about it. In February 2020, they released the song "Attack of Panic," which talks about anxiety and panic attacks.
In May 2020, they showed their support for Black Lives Matter, a movement that works for equality and justice for Black people. In June 2020, they hosted an all-night online fundraising event called "Up All Night with Aly & AJ". This event included a concert and talks with friends. They raised money for 13 different charities, including groups that support equality, help people in need, and protect the environment.
Other Projects
Acting Roles
The sisters have also had acting careers outside of their music. They have starred in some projects together. They played sisters in the 2006 Disney Channel Original movie Cow Belles. The song "On the Ride" from their first album was the movie's theme song. They also starred in a Disney Channel TV pilot called Haversham Hall, but it was not made into 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 that were loosely based on their own personalities. They also appeared in an episode of The Good Doctor in March 2022.
Merchandise and Books
In 2007, special Hello Kitty Aly & AJ dolls were released in stores. Also in 2007, a game for the Nintendo DS called The Aly & AJ Adventure was released. In the game, players pretend to be their assistant, helping them record songs and make 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 for the books. They also had their own line of guitars, clothing, accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics.
Personal Life
Faith and Beliefs
Aly & AJ are open about their faith. They have made music for both mainstream audiences and the Christian music scene. Their song "Never Far Behind" was released on Christian 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 that they believe in evolution. In May 2019, they said that their faith has grown stronger, but they do not try to push their beliefs on others through their music.
Music List
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)
Concert 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 Recognitions
| 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