Latest news with #AlyMichalka
Grazia USA
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Grazia USA
Aly & AJ's New Album, 'Silver Deliverer,' Is a Soulful Testament to Sisterhood, Change, & Creative Freedom
Photo courtesy of Aly & AJ After 20 years in the spotlight, Aly & AJ Michalka are not just evolving — they're thriving. With their new album Silver Deliverer , the former Disney sister duo is embracing a profound new chapter within their music career, filled with transformation, reflection, and fearless artistry. 'Honestly… this is really my favorite piece of work we've ever put out, hands down,' AJ tells GRAZIA USA in an exclusive interview. It's a bold statement, but one that feels entirely deserved. Silver Deliverer dropped earlier this month on May 2, following the release of their latest single 'If You Get Lonely,' and marks yet another powerful pivot in their ever-expanding discography. At once intimate and expansive, the record is a mirror of their personal lives — capturing the emotional weight of change, the beauty of resilience, and the deep bond of sisterhood that has always guided their music. A New Era of Sound: Recording Silver Deliverer in Topanga Canyon The new album was crafted in California's Topanga Canyon with producer Jonathan Wilson, known for his work with artists like Father John Misty and Angel Olsen. The choice of setting was no accident — it became a character of its own in the record's creation. 'It was us living in a place together in Topanga Canyon during that time,' Aly remembers. 'It brought us back to living under one roof again… I remember that house and how it smelled and the food that we ate and the mornings that we took that were so just lovely and lazy, and there was no rush. Then we would just get to the studio at 2:00 or 3:00 PM; it was just heaven.' AJ adds, 'I think the growth and just where we're at in life very much reflect the music we make and vice versa. Aly and I's taste, obviously, over the years, has evolved. We grew up, born and raised, in Southern California. We've been listening to bands like The Beach Boys and Heart for years, and that's always been a foundational reference for our harmonies and our songwriting.' The result is a body of work that's sun-soaked, sonically expansive, and deeply rooted in who they are now — as artists, sisters, and women in their 30s. 'I just feel like it's meeting us right where we're at in our early 30s,' AJ says. 'I'm really, really proud of this record.' Deliverance Through Change: The Meaning Behind the Album Title The celestial title Silver Deliverer isn't just poetic — it's deeply symbolic. 'When we were thinking about album titles for this album, we came upon this quite soon in the album making,' Aly says. 'From that point on, we just knew that that's what the record would be called… It felt like we were being delivered truly into this new place that we had little knowledge of, but we were just trusting in the process.' She continues, 'I think that had to do with me becoming a mom, AJ becoming an aunt, me moving away from AJ and Laurel Canyon — because we used to live down the street from each other, and now I live a good hour and a half away from her — just a lot of things. And so we wanted the album title to capture what we were experiencing and going through.' AJ adds, 'Her water broke on day two of pre-production, which was hilarious because he came two weeks early. Aly went home, lived with him for a solid week. I continued to work with the band, and then she came back and was able to sing parts and breastfeed him while she was in the studio. He had on his little headphones… it was really magical.' 'It was truly two babies at once,' Aly shares from the heart. Photo courtesy of Aly & AJ Breaking the Rules: Creative Risks and Musical Freedom What makes Silver Deliverer especially powerful is its willingness to break the mold. The sisters embraced a less structured approach to songwriting and production, guided by trust in Wilson and themselves. 'We really trusted [Wilson] in his process, which was definitely a different process from past producers we had worked with,' Aly explains. 'But I think the thing that we embraced on this album was more solos and more instrumental moments on the record… We just really threw [structure of pop music] out the window… That was, I think, the most exciting part of making this record.' AJ echoes the sentiment: 'We didn't really lead with any fear or doubt because Jonathan was so confident… The album we wanted to make was there, and it was literally just ours to reach.' A Love Letter to Sisterhood: 'I Don't Know What It Is' One of the most emotionally resonant songs on the album, 'I Don't Know What It Is,' explores Aly's move away from LA and the ripple effect that had on their relationship. 'I think for me, 'I Don't Know What It Is' really hits hard because it is the song that represents Aly's move and the change in season of not living together or near each other as sisters anymore. Our whole lives has right down the street from each other, if not in the same house,' AJ says. 'It's made me realize that when I'm down there, the time is so important… Those moments are really important to me.' Aly adds, 'We've never really written about a subject matter in that way… The fact that we were writing about a thing, like a home, I think it makes that song just specifically very interesting.' Healing Through Music: Aging, Motherhood, and Letting Go Themes of self-acceptance and growth are woven throughout the album, especially in songs like 'What It Feels Like.' ''What It Feels Like' has really taught me… those things like your clothing fitting a little differently, your skin changing, your hair looking different when you pose — those things are really beautiful,' AJ shares. 'I wish as a younger kid I knew that that was coming because I would have told myself, 'You are going to have to embrace getting older and it's okay. Those things aren't going to change who you are as a person or change your DNA. They don't matter. They're surface things.'' As a new mother, Aly's perspective has also shifted: 'You just can't get to everything. You're just going to maybe have laundry that's just sitting there for five days… But you have a kid, and you've got to interact with them, and that's alright… The world kind of spins on, and it's not that big of a deal.' Looking Back with New Eyes: The Legacy of 'Rush' and 'No One' Even their earlier songs have taken on new meaning in adulthood. 'If I'm going to go back to a song… a song like 'No One,' which is so much about embracing being yourself and loving yourself… I think that's a really beautiful message to listen to now as a woman,' Aly reflects. AJ agrees, saying 'Rush' has become an anthem in unexpected ways. 'I really feel like the lyrics really represent a time and a place in a teenager's life, or whatever age you might be, accepting yourself who you are, being every color that you are. It also really represents our fandom,' she continues. 'They all become friends. They're all from different backgrounds, but they all somehow have this thing in common, and it's our music.' Photo courtesy of Aly & AJ Reintroducing Themselves: Aly & AJ on Call Her Daddy Their recent appearance on Call Her Daddy reconnected them with fans old and new — and on their own terms. 'At that point, we become in command because we're here to tell our story,' AJ says. 'We had a lot of feedback from fans that didn't know we were back… And then feedback from fans who were like, 'I followed every phase.'' Aly adds, 'It was fun to be able to talk with another girl that is so in the zeitgeist and so a part of pop culture… It's always great to be stopped on the street by people that are like, 'I loved your Call Her Daddy podcast.'' Life on the Road: Tour Rituals and Staying Grounded With a fall tour planned to support the album, Aly & AJ are ready to hit the road again — but not without their grounding rituals. 'Our number one thing on tour is rest,' AJ says. 'We really make [the bus] our sanctuary… We decorate our bunks. We make sure the kitchen is stocked with healthy foods.' They even still do their signature handshake before shows. 'It used to be insanely long,' AJ laughs. 'We've now shortened [it]… and then just a little bit of quiet time, a little bit of prayer… That's also a really comforting place for us.' The Message Behind the Music: What They Hope Fans Take Away At the heart of Silver Deliverer is the hope that listeners feel seen. 'I hope that people listen to this record and feel like, 'Oh, wow, I feel very centered in who I am as an adult. Even if I haven't reached exactly who I'm going to be, I'm on my way there,'' AJ says. Aly echoes this beautifully: 'I hope that people find a song that they really connect with, that they feel was literally written for them… I do feel like there's a song on this record for everyone.' A Legacy Rewritten in Real Time Two decades into their musical careers — with this summer marking the 20th anniversary of their iconic debut album, Into the Rush — Aly & AJ aren't chasing trends. They're creating music that reflects the women they've become — and the world they're helping to shape. Silver Deliverer isn't just a new album. It's a living, breathing journal of change, grace, and growth. And for longtime fans and first-time listeners alike, it's an invitation to come along for the ride. Listen to Aly and AJ's newest album, Silver Deliverer , out now.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Aly & AJ on upcoming tour, being 'less fragile' with their lyrics, advocating for gun reform and moving away from Disney Channel
Aly Michalka and AJ Michalka, the sister music duo known as Aly & AJ, are heading on a fall North American tour on the 20th anniversary year of their album "Into The Rush." With many fans first meeting the artists through the Disney Channel, from Aly's role in Phil of the Future to their joint Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) Cow Belles, the music in their most recent album, Silver Deliverer, feels particularly impactful and honest. Aly & AJ spoke to Yahoo Canada ahead of their tour, from particularly impactful songs to reflecting on their evolution as artists. Their upcoming fall North American tour includes a stop in Toronto at Massey Hall on Oct. 15. A lot of people saying like, Ali and AG were my first concert, and now I get to go see them again. How does it feel to be able to kind of have fans that have been with you for so long and have been able to grow up with you as well? I mean, you know, we've been doing this for so long and to be able to meet our fans in person and hear a story of like, you were my first concert in 2006, or, you know, I went with my parents and now I'm taking my kid. Like, wild stories. I mean, for Allie and I, we're such fans of live. Music, but there's not many acts that we saw as teens that we now get to see as adults. And, you know, it's rare that someone's around that long. I mean, obviously, it happens, and when it does, it's a beautiful thing, but it doesn't happen all the time. So to have been playing music this long, to have this long of a lifetime span on the road is huge for us, and it means a lot when fans share those stories. I think something that's so great about this album is that, you know, every song feels so intentional and you're saying Like, listen, if this is the topic that we're talking about, like, we're really kind of going to dive in, whether it's sirens or a number of others. Um, was that something that you thought about just saying like, listen, if this is the topic that we're, we're going on that direction, we're going to really kind of dive in and be really intentional with our music and our lyrics. And I think, you know, we've always been the type to write about our personal experiences, but for whatever reason, I think this record, um, Really pushed our Like our honesty when it came to the lyrics of, you know, the, the songs that we were that we were writing and the subject matters in which we speak about. Um, and I think part of that is maybe just like, Us getting older, feeling more brave and, uh, less fragile about, um, just speaking about them in, in just a, a plain and simple way. Uh, yeah, and just letting the music meet us where we're at. Like it's really important to tell stories based on, you know, the current point in life you're at. I think it's beautiful to write about the past and what you hope for in the future, but it's also really great to let fans in on what you're going through. Currently, and I really feel like this record does that. I mean, we've been through a lot in the last couple of years, so it felt very fair to to write about what we've been through very recently. What was the process like to rearrange some of the Into the Rush songs for the tour? We did it with our band, um, who, you know, obviously didn't have, uh, nearly as deep of an understanding with that music from the past, except for our bassist who, funny enough, um, toured with us back in the day when we first toured into the Rush as an album. It was his first tour that he was on, and we recently, um, kind of just reconnected through a producer that brought him in for a session and then he became our bassist down on the road. And When we were, you know, planning these shows, he was like, it's crazy how all these songs are coming back to me. And then like, of course, our, our drummer and our guitarist were like, Yeah, I don't really know this tune. So it, it was, it was, um, it was cool to be able to, you know, reimagine them in, in slight ways, but really just stay true to the way that people fell in love with these songs. Um, and, and kind of stripping them down to To how, you know, we even just initially wrote them in our room as, as teenagers. Um, it was, it was a really beautiful energy to see so many fans, uh, singing in the crowd to these songs that I know. Meant so much to them and still do to this day. I mean, I think a great example of that, which I think was really touching for a lot of people. Obviously no one was on that album, and when Michelle Totenberg died, unfortunately, everyone really wanted to hear that song. When I think of certain songs from You know, my past or my childhood, I definitely associate them at specific times in my life or maybe things that I was going through or struggling with. And I, we found it really beautiful and touching that that song, um, was so deeply connected with so many people, um, and that, you know, they were grieving over, you know, the loss of, of her life and, and all the projects that, you know, she Brought so much joy in life too, for people. So sirens, obviously a beautiful song, but I think, you know, as much as you were able to channel what you went through into that song, you also kind of decided to take that extra step in terms of advocacy, um, after what you went through in, in Sacramento. What really you say like, OK, we've now been able to channel this into our music, but we're going to take that extra step and kind of try to take action and move things forward. It was so clear to Allie and I that, OK, if we're going to be, you know, continuing to play music for years to come, we have to back it up with advocacy. And this is something that we really want to push forward right now. Um, I think for us, it wasn't just about writing the song, but making sure we spend time on stage every night while on tour, discussing our story and trying to get people involved, whether that's encouraging them. To lobby, to vote, to, you know, sign a petition to donate, whatever that looks like in the moment. And for Allie and I, it's really important that we bring that forward to our music. Um, I think that, you know, a song like Sirens, it was not only a, a healing mechanism for Allie and I to write a song like that, but it's also been really amazing to share that story with our fans. Um, and yeah, we just kind of, we made a pact that year. We were like, you know what? We're gonna do everything we can to To advocate for a cause that we really believe in, that we've now experienced firsthand, and knowing now that Allie is a first time mom, it means an even greater deal to us at this point because of having now a child in a family. What it feels like, I think the lyrics of that song, I think are so important and so like resident, and I think AJ, you and I are the same age, so I think kind of entering your 30s and things change. and there's still a little bit of stigma of like your self-worth is kind of like diminishing as the age goes on. We write these songs for our fans, but they're also for us. Like, in a way, it's this anthem to remind myself, you know, who I am and what I love about myself, no matter what age I'm entering, no matter what my skin looks like, no matter what my hair looks like, or how I'm fitting into my clothes. And not to say those things don't continue to bother me as I get older, those Things are always going to be, I think, a slight challenge. I think growing up in the industry, there is, you know, a certain, um, obsession with body and faith and look and youth. And I think people deal with that, whether they're in the industry or not. So I think having a song that is a bit of an anthem for women and men who are entering their 30s or 40s, going like, wow, I, I just want to know what it feels like to, to love myself and to feel comfortable with the space I'm currently at. Um, and I think Allie and I have had to remind ourselves that on a daily basis, and the song really has helped me with it. How does it feel like you're going to be able to to bring Jack on on tour and to kind of be part of your your progress and your next step? Yeah, I mean, it's a wild new chapter in our life and we're trying to really Embrace it because we know that it's also bleeding. It's not gonna be like this forever too, you know. And next thing I know, he'll be like driving a car, which is, um, but he's a really awesome kid and he's really just down for the adventure and, um, we've been really lucky in our little tribe of people that have been there to help us out, um, and just be there when we, you know, need to hand them off or need them to be watched for an hour. Um, You know, he has his little headphones on when he's at the shows. Um, my husband is always kind of wrangling him. Um, but it'll be, I mean, it'll be, it'll be full on given that we'll be out on the road and, and we're so used to touring without a, a, a child. Um, some, some of our freedom will, will. Will change, but, um, I also think that it's gonna be this beautiful new memory that we'll have together as, as siblings, um, and as a family, you know, um, it's, it's, it's gonna be really special. It's really interesting to see where you've come now and been able to kind of evolve and kind of take ownership over a lot of, um, your stuff. What's kind of advantageous for you to kind of have that. Yeah, I think it's, it's crazy when you, when you grow up in the industry at a young age and you're working under like a major corporation where it's like Disney Channel becomes the middle man to you and your fans. And there's nothing wrong with that, but now that we're independent artists, so, it's so direct, it's just us and fans constantly, and it's this like circle. Like even when we're on tour or in a meet and greet or at a vinyl signing or whatever it might be, there's no middleman kind of conducting how things are going to go. It's us and the fans, and I really love that. I think the fans know that and there's like an authentic friendship and like a relationship that we now have with our fans who have like grown up with us that I think now they're like, oh wow, I don't have to deal with, you know, a big operation in the sense that I can literally go up to Ali and AJ and say hi, or I can go to a meet and greet and feel really comfortable and safe, and there's other fans that are like-minded and you know, that's really cool to me is that it's changed as we've gotten older it's a lot more, you know, face to face and we've just now, you know, at the end of the day now we just make the decisions on everything in a way that, you know, we that wasn't the case. It was like, oh, you have to go through the The long list of people that check things off and approve stuff, and then it gets brought to us, you know, for us to sign off, but now it's like, it's it's so direct. Um it it it means that there's slightly more work, um, and our eyeballs are really across everything, but it's also more rewarding in a way too.
