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{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| Name = Aly & AJ
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| Img_capt = Aly & AJ performing in 2005.
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Revision as of 17:26, 26 August 2007

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. Their latest album, Insomniatic, was released on July 10, 2007. MTV also premiered their latest movie, Super Sweet 16: The Movie, on July 8, 2007.

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.[2] 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.

Biography of Alyson Michalka

Alyson Michalka was born in Torrance, California on March 25, 1989. Alyson and her sister, Amanda (who is two years younger), grew up in Seattle, Washington. Michalka has been playing the piano since she was six and started playing the guitar at the age of thirteen. She started acting when she was five years old, mostly in church productions. She was raised in Christianity and continues to practice the religion.[3][4][5][6]

Michalka's acting debut came when she was cast in the role of Keely Teslow on the Disney Channel Original Series, Phil of the Future. She has also starred in the Disney Channel Original Movies Now You See It..., in which she plays Allyson Miller, an ambitious television producer, and Cow Belles, in which she appears opposite her sister.

Filmography

Television films

Television series

Starring roles

Guest appearances

Biography of Amanda Michalka

Amanda Michalka was born in Torrance, California on April 10, 1991. She and her older sister, Alyson Michalka, and their parents moved to Seattle. There her parents made sure they were exposed to all varieties of music. They then moved back to Southern California, where they still live.

Michalka was in a number of WORD Music productions at her church in Southern California as a young child. Michalka plays a variety of instruments such as acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, and bongos. In March 2006, she made her Disney Channel debut in the Disney Channel Original Movie Cow Belles, as "Courtney Callum", along with sister Aly, as "Taylor Callum". She has also made appearances on shows such as Oliver Beene, Six Feet Under, The Guardian, and General Hospital.[7][8][9][10]

Filmography

Television films

Television series

Starring roles

Guest appearances

Music

Aly & AJ's debut album, Into the Rush, went Platinum as of May 2007. "No One" was a song that 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.

Aly & AJ and the Christian music scene

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."[11]

Trivia

  • In an interview with Blender magazine, the two expressed their disbelief in the theory of evolution, with the interviewer asking what their thoughts were, with AJ saying– "no," and with Aly saying: "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."Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).
  • 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]
  • AJ has stated that the song "Something More" is about her and her first boyfriend.[13]
  • Aly & AJ have had two logos. Both are created by Alyson herself. It is a series of lines and circles the appear to look like a butterfly. The second logo was first seen in the music video for "Potential Breakup Song". It features two large 'A's in the shape of a heart.
  • Huckleberry Toys released Limited Edition Hello Kitty Aly & AJ dolls to selected Target stores. If the dolls are successful, more will be released. [1]

Discography

Main article: Aly & AJ discography

Albums

Dual filmography

Year Title Aly's role AJ's role Notes
2006 Cow Belles Taylor Callum Courtney Callum Disney Channel Original Movie
2007 Super Sweet 16: The Movie Taylor Tiara Sara Conners MTV Films

Notes and references

  1. ^ Acoustic Hearts of Winter from MTV, obtained 27 December, 2006.
  2. ^ Interview that was part of the aired Aly and AJ concert.
  3. ^ http://www.briomag.com/briomagazine/entertainment/a0007094.html
  4. ^ http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2005/alyandaj-1105.html
  5. ^ http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=1937
  6. ^ http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2007/001/12.52.html
  7. ^ http://www.briomag.com/briomagazine/entertainment/a0007094.html
  8. ^ http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2005/alyandaj-1105.html
  9. ^ http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=1937
  10. ^ http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2007/001/12.52.html
  11. ^ Tweenage Riot. Blender magazine, June 2006.
  12. ^ AmberWatch Foundation official site.
  13. ^ Interview that was part of the Aly and AJ On the Ride concert DVD.

External links

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