Aly & AJ developed a strong passion for music at very young ages. They have been playing the piano since they were 6 years old, but now compose most of their songs on their guitars. Music to Aly & AJ is like a therapeutic rush!
"We were always performing," Aly (16) recalls of their childhood. "We would make little homemade tickets and hand them out. We called the shows ‘Aly & AJ Rock the House.'" Of course, those days of make-believe are long over. Today, Aly co-stars in the hit Disney Channel series "Phil of the Future." AJ has had recurring and guest-star roles in many major network shows. Now, with their debut Hollywood Records CD Into The Rush due out August 16, the sisters are about to rock the house for real.
Aly & AJ’s first two singles have already made major headway. Their remake of “Do You Believe in Magic” is the signature track from the original Disney Channel movie "Now You See It," starring Aly and became the #1 most requested song on Radio Disney. It also reached #2 on the Billboard Single Charts! Remaking the 1965 Lovin' Spoonful hit for their premiere single may seem an unusual choice, but Aly & AJ like to surprise people. "We really appreciated the song," says AJ (14). "It has a lot of passion and soul. We were told (songwriter) John Sebastian heard our version and just loved it."
Aly & AJ’s follow up single “No One” was featured throughout the opening scene and introductory credits of the movie “Ice Princess,” starring Kim Cattrall, Joan Cusack and Michelle Trachtenberg. It also became the #1 most requested song on Radio Disney, a hit on Yahoo Music!, and a featured song on ABC’s hit show, Alias.
Until Aly & AJ’s album Into The Rush comes out in August, fans will be able to hear the girls’ rockin’ version of Katrina & The Waves mega-hit “Walking On Sunshine” on the Herbie Fully Loaded soundtrack, which is due in stores this June.
The energy and spirit the sisters bring to their music colors the entire album. Aly and AJ are putting the finishing touches on Into The Rush and are working with a variety of producers; including some of the music industry's biggest. "We've learned a lot from all of them," says Aly of the producers. "Some things we like...some things we don't like. It's all a part of the process. It's important that we have our own voice and that our emotions are a part of all of our music. This is why we're working with different producers, so that we can experience different ideas."
Their first single may have been a classic cover, but the sisters have written all of the songs on their CD. And though they may be young teens, when it comes to writing songs, they aim high. “We want our songs to be fun, but we also want to write about deeper issues that make people think and issues that we can all relate to in one way or another,” says AJ.
Aly and AJ’s song "I Am One of Them" tackles the tough subject of child kidnappings. They want to bring awareness by encouraging kids to look out for one another and use precautions and safety measures to empower them. AJ contributed a track called "Protecting Me," a song featured in a "Phil of the Future" episode, which addresses the vulnerable nature of being a kid today. Says Aly: "We want to let kids know they have the power to protect themselves and one another." Aly and AJ have also written songs that address the issues of relationships, heartaches, staying true to yourself and celebrating your own uniqueness.
Bottom line, both Aly & AJ are fun-loving teens who just happen to be enormously talented. Born in Los Angeles, Alyson Michalka whose nickname is Aly and Amanda Joy Michalka whose nickname is AJ moved with their parents to Seattle in the early 1990's. Their parents made sure the sisters were exposed to a variety of music, from classical, to gospel, to rock and roll. They began singing when they were very young, mostly to entertain family and friends, but that changed when Aly first heard of a strange new concept: acting class. "I ran and got my mom," recalls Aly, "and said, ‘Mom, I beg you.' Both AJ and I banded together and we got into it, even though our mom and dad were a little reluctant.”
That led to acting and modeling gigs, a career that heated up once the family relocated back to Southern California. Aly landed the part of Keely Teslow on Disney Channel's "Phil of the Future," a plum role which allowed Aly to sing as well as act.
AJ immediately began landing great roles on such shows as "Six Feet Under," "Oliver Beene" and "Birds of Prey. She also won recurring roles, one as Dabney Coleman's foster daughter on the CBS drama "The Guardian," the other as Ashley B. in the hit soap "General Hospital."
For those who wonder if Aly & AJ ever get to be kids; their motto is "work hard, play hard and take time to relax." "Chillaxing is definitely a hobby of ours." Says Aly, "We love playing with our dogs Saint and Bandit, hanging out in our rooms listening to music, reading, writing songs on either the guitar or piano, going to the movies with friends or just talking on the phone. Education is also an important part of our lives and we work hard to get our schoolwork done, so that we have time to have fun." Adds AJ, "We definitely have our moments when we want our own space, but there's this awesome energy with us. There's never a dull a moment."
Once the new album comes out, there may never be a free moment for Aly & AJ, but the sisters say they're ready for the rocket ride to come. Says AJ, "We're nonconformists, but we’re not rebellious. We want to have a big impact on those who listen to our music. Adds sister Aly, "Our music comes from our heart, our soul, our experience. It's not just about boys and having the perfect day. Sometimes it’s nice to listen to a song, that makes you think. We're here to be a voice."
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