When Alyson and AJ Michalka decided to release new music, as independent artists, back in 2017, the sisters had no way of knowing whether fans of their work a decade earlier would still be around to listen.
Signed to Disney’s Hollywood Records in the early aughts, Aly & AJ dominated the radio with a string of pop hits like “Potential Breakup Song” and “Chemicals React.” After stepping away from music to pursue more acting projects—Aly starred on the CW hit iZombie for five seasons; AJ was a fan favorite on the long-running sitcom The Goldbergs—the duo returned with the slinky “Take Me.” Fans rejoiced at their return, while new listeners delighted in the discovery of a sister duo who made flawless synth-pop—and also happened to be former Disney Channel stars.
Two EPs, two albums, and four tours later, Aly & AJ have rebuilt their fanbase from the ground up. They recently wrapped the biggest headlining tour of their careers in support of their latest album, With Love From. Swapping the electronic synths of their last few releases for acoustic guitars, the album was made to be heard live with a flock of screaming fans. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to hear those songs and more—yes, even “Potential Breakup Song”—on the second leg of the With Love From tour this fall.
Ahead of those performances, which include a stop at LA’s famed Greek Theater in September, Aly & AJ shared some recent snapshots from life on the road.
Photo: Stephen Ringer1/16“Aly picking out our wardrobe for the show as she does each night. Check the tag—it's Wrangler!”
Photo: Stephen Ringer2/16“Pre-sound check. You can usually catch me in our merch on the road. This one is specifically a crew shirt with a custom design on the back. Everyone on the road gets one.”
Photo: Stephen Ringer3/16“Aly in sound check, repping the merch and setting sounds on her OB6.”
Photo: Stephen Ringer4/16“Our friend Claire braided my hair on a off day. I’m wearing my boyfriend’s high school rowing jacket here. Go MAC!”
Photo: Stephen Ringer5/16“Backstage at History, Drake’s venue in Toronto. Really gorgeous space. And yes, we signed a poster to Drake after the show telling him how much we loved playing there. Hit us back, Drake.”
Photo: Stephen Ringer6/16“Thankful for an amazing suitcase on the road but can’t seem to figure out how to close it without sitting on it.”
Photo: Stephen Ringer7/16“Bixby loves his morning paper and a bag of popcorn.”
Photo: Stephen Ringer8/16“If you know me, you know I love a great coffee shop before sound check—my order is an iced vanilla latte with oat milk or an iced matcha latte. This is in the Broadview Hotel in Toronto, wearing my brand new Tudor x Rolling Blazers Black Bay 58.”
Photo: Stephen Ringer9/16“Aly was very happy to get a walk in before the Philly show and see we had arrived at Joe’s cheesesteaks.”
Photo: Stephen Ringer10/16“Our best friend of over 20 years drove from a very special event in DC, where he was being honored by Congress—all to be with us at our show in Silver Spring. He showed up in a tux so we had to take photos backstage.”
Photo: Stephen Ringer11/16“Aly pretty much always does her makeup on a bed or on the floor in front of a hand mirror. I still don’t know how she does this.”
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Photo: Stephen Ringer12/16“In my favorite stage shirt. A vintage H Bar C top. Getting ready to go on.”
Photo: Stephen Ringer13/16“If a smile appears whenever one of us puts in our IEMs before going onstage, it’s because we can hear our crew line checking the show and we can feel it’s gonna be a great night.”
Photo: Stephen Ringer14/16“On the day before our Ryman Auditorium show I walked Bixby down to see the Mother Church and appreciate that we got to return after last headlining there in June 2006.”
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Photo: Stephen Ringer15/16“Grateful for times like this at the Hotel Chelsea. Getting glammed up with our HMU team ahead of the Hammerstein Ballroom show in New York City. Emma Strachman on makeup and Caitlin Boland on hair. I need to know what I’m reacting to here! Probably sad to play the last show of the tour.”
Photo: Stephen Ringer16/16“Feeling very blessed we get to do this together every night. Every band should be comprised of sisters.”
