Latest news with #SilverDeliverer
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: Former Disney stars get honest with songs about mass shooting, body image, mental health and grief in 'Silver Deliverer'
While many of us grew up with Aly Michalka and AJ Michalka, known as the music duo Aly & AJ, from Aly's role in Phil of the Future to their joint Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) Cow Belles. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of their album Into The Rush, featuring popular songs like "Rush," "No One" and "One The Ride." Aly & AJ have reworked songs from that album ahead of their upcoming fall North American tour, including a stop in Toronto at Massey Hall on Oct. 15. "We did it with our band, who obviously didn't have nearly as deep of an understanding with that music from the past, except for our bassist who, funny enough, toured with us back in the day when we first toured 'Into The Rush' as an album," Aly told Yahoo Canada. "It was his first tour that he was on, and we recently kind of just reconnected through a producer that brought him in for a session, and then he became our bassist out on the road. When we were planning these shows, he was like, 'It's crazy. All these songs are coming back to me.'" "It was cool to be able to reimagine them in slight ways, but really just stay true to the way that people fell in love with these songs, and kind of stripping them down to how we even just initially wrote them in our room as teenagers. It was a really beautiful energy to see so many fans singing in the crowd to these songs that I know meant so much to them and still do to this day." But Aly & AJ's newest album, Silver Deliverer is an example of the incredible evolution the sisters have had as artist, an enticing sound that draws in fans who grew up with the sisters, and newcomers to their music. One thing that's very clear about all the tracks on Silver Deliverer is that Aly & AJ have really committed to honest in their lyrics, from the song "Sirens" about their personal experience with a mass shooting in Sacramento, California, to the song "Michael" about their late friend and business manager, and "Places To Run," with lyrics related to Aly's mental health struggles. "We've always been the type to write about our personal experiences, but for whatever reason I think this record really pushed our honesty when it came to the lyrics of the songs that we were writing, and the subject matters [we] speak about," Aly said. "And I think part of that is maybe just us getting older, feeling more brave and less fragile about just speaking about them in just a plain and simple way." "And just letting the music meet us where we're at," AJ added. "It's really important to tell stories based on 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 write about what we've been through very recently." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aly & AJ (@alyandaj) For the song "Sirens," the sisters took the opportunity to funnel their personal trauma of the mass shooting into music, but also committed to being advocates for gun reform, partnering with the non-profit March Fourth and previously meeting with former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss legislative changes. "The experience itself, it was so clear to Aly and I that, OK, if we're going to be continuing to play music for years to come, we have to back it up with advocacy, and this is something that we really want push forward right now," AJ said. "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 sign a petition, to donate, whatever that looks like in the moment." "I think that a song like 'Sirens,' it was not only a healing mechanism for Aly and I to write a song like that, but it's also been really amazing to share that story with our fans. ... We made a pact that year. We were like, you know what we're going to do everything we can to to advocate for a cause that we really believe in, that we've now experienced firsthand, and now that Aly is a first-time mom, it means an even greater deal to us at this point, because of having a child in the family." Another particular highlight on Silver Deliverer is "What It Feels Like," that has this beautiful message about embracing aging and pushing back on this societal obsession with beauty and linking that with youth. "We write these songs for our fans, but they're also for us, in a way, it's this anthem to remind myself 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," AJ said. "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 a certain obsession with body ... 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 just want to know what it feels like to to love myself and to feel comfortable with the space I'm currently at.' And I think Aly and I have had to remind ourselves about that on a daily basis, and the song really has helped me with it." But Aly & AJ have a history of creating songs that really speak to their fans, and have endured the test of time, including the Into The Rush song "No One," which had a resurgence in popularity after the death of Michelle Trachtenberg, with the song used in her film Ice Princess. "It's almost like a time capsule for memories, ... and when I think of certain songs from 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," Aly said. "We found it really beautiful and touching that, that song was so deeply connected with so many people." While Aly & AJ have toured for years, there's a new addition on the road this time around, Aly's son Jack. "It's a wild new chapter in our life and we're trying to really embrace it, because we know that it's also fleeting. It's not going to be like this forever," Aly said. "The next thing I know, he'll be like driving a car." "But he's a really awesome kid and he's really just down for the adventure. And we've been really lucky, and our little tribe of people that have been there to help us out and just be there when we need to hand him off, or he needs be watched for an hour. ... My husband is always kind of wrangling him, but it'll be full on, given that we'll be out on the road and we're so used to touring without a child. Some of our freedom will change, but I also think that it's going to be this beautiful new memory that we'll have together as siblings and as a family." But while Aly & AJ had an early push in their career with Disney, as independent artists their circle is now quite small, an interesting evolution in their careers as musicians. "When you when you grow up in the industry at a young age and you're working under a major corporation, where it's like Disney Channel becomes the middleman to your fans, and there's nothing wrong with that, but now that we're independent artists, it's so direct," AJ said. "It's just us and fans constantly." "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 an authentic friendship and a relationship that we now have with our fans who have grown up with us." "At the end of the day, now we just make the decisions on everything in a way that wasn't the case," Aly added. "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 for us to sign off." "But now it's so direct, it means that there's slightly more work, and our eyeballs are really across everything. But it's also more rewarding in a way too."
Business Wire
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Aly & AJ Release Transcendent New Album Silver Deliverer
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Silver Deliverer, the highly anticipated independent sixth studio album from platinum-selling sister duo Aly & AJ, is out today. A career-defining body of work, Silver Deliverer blends sun-drenched California rock, country-tinged folk, and warm, analog textures into an honest and deeply personal album that feels like a love letter to growing up, growing older, and growing free. Out just in time for summer and building momentum into the fall, the release also marks the announcement of Aly & AJ's headlining must see North American Silver Deliverer Tour, presented by Concerts West / AEG Presents. The tour launches Friday, September 19 in Los Angeles, concluding in Santa Barbara on Sunday, November 9. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 9 at 10am local time HERE. Acclaimed singer-songwriter Amanda Shires will grace the bill and support across all dates. Arriving after the critical acclaim of their 2023 album With Love From, Silver Deliverer sees Aly & AJ embracing full creative control and crafting their most authentic, self-assured and spiritually resonant record yet. Written and recorded in Topanga Canyon, the album draws from the Laurel Canyon movement while sounding unmistakably fresh and modern. It marks a striking return for the beloved artists: bold, unfiltered, and wholly their own. Brimming with poetic warmth and wisdom that the sister duo has honed over the years, Silver Deliverer reflects on maturing, sisterhood, and self-actualization. 'After 20 years of making music together as sisters we've created our most revealing and poignant album to date. Motherhood, personal loss, and traumatic events have rewoven our tapestry of sisterhood. And we've done our best to write about it. We hope this music is something to reach for when you're lost and looking for some deliverance.' Produced in part by longtime collaborators, including GRAMMY nominated Jonathan Wilson, Silver Deliverer captures Aly & AJ's signature harmonies across a soundscape rich in organic instrumentation and golden-era storytelling. The album features standout singles including the recent 'Dandelions', the haunting 'If You Get Lonely' and 'Next to Nothing, ' which has received acclaim for Aly & AJ's iconic harmonies and makes audiences feel like they are 'living in the song while listening to it'. The shimmering lead single from the album, 'What It Feels Like', has already amassed over one million streams on Spotify and over 200K views of its official music video, solidifying the sisters' ongoing cultural relevance and deepening resonance with fans both old and new. Presales for the dynamic Silver Deliverer Tour tour begin on Tuesday, May 6 at 10am local time, followed by the general on sale on Friday, May 9 at 10am local time. For Los Angeles fans, the presale will be on Friday, May 16 at 10am PT followed by the general on sale on Tuesday, May 20 at 10am PT. Please see all cities, dates, and venues further below. In addition to the forthcoming tour, Aly & AJ have been busy kicking off their new era with a slew of high profile performances and major festival appearances including SXSW, Willie Nelson's Luck Festival, the Sunset Festival and Stagecoach. This is only the beginning as the duo prepares to kick off the album release with performances at Bonnaroo Festival and Milwaukee's Summerfest. ALY & AJ SILVER DELIVERER TOUR DATES September 19 - Los Angeles, CA - Venue Announced Soon September 25 - Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall September 26 - Seattle, WA - The Paramount Theatre September 27 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre September 30 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory October 1 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Union October 2 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre October 4 - Minneapolis, MN - Skyway Theatre October 5 - Kansas City, MO - The Midland Theatre October 7 - St. Louis, MO - The Factory October 8 - Fort Wayne, IN - Clyde Theatre October 10 - Chicago, IL - The Salt Shed October 11 - Columbus, OH - KEMBA Live! October 12 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre October 14 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE October 15 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall October 17 - New York, NY - Terminal 5 October 19 - Boston, MA - Roadrunner October 21 - Philadelphia, PA - Franklin Music Hall October 22 - Washington, D.C. - The Anthem October 24 - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium October 25 - Jacksonville, FL - FIVE October 26 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live October 28 - Pompano Beach, FL - Pompano Beach Amphitheater October 29 - Atlanta, GA - The Eastern October 31 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall November 1 - Austin, TX - Paramount Theatre November 2 - Dallas, TX - The Bomb Factory November 4 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre November 5 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's Concerts by The Bay - On Sale Now November 8 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield November 9 - Santa Barbara, CA - Arlington Theatre ABOUT ALY & AJ: Aly & AJ, comprised of sisters Aly and AJ Michalka, have captivated audiences around the world with their stirring harmonies, relatable lyrics, and a unique blend of pop and indie-rock influences. From their early days as Disney stars to their triumphant return to the music scene as independent artists, Aly & AJ have evolved into a force to be reckoned with, transcending genres and leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Their previous album With Love From recorded with a live band at the famous Sunset Sound studio, showcased their genre-spanning artistry, incorporating Americana, folk, country and indie pop, featuring an array of reflective ballads and anthemic tracks. Critics have raved over the album, with Billboard claiming the track 'After Hours' 'pour[s] one out for the night owls,' while Rolling Stone highlighted and approved the song 'Baby Lay Your Head Down.' The California native sisters took the album on the road on their nationwide 'With Love From Tour,' which included a milestone performance at Los Angeles' legendary Greek Theatre for the first time for an unforgettable evening of powerhouse vocals, electrifying performances, and a nostalgic celebration of their remarkable discography. Aly & AJ first burst onto the scene in the mid-2000s with their debut album Into the Rush in 2005, featuring the hit single "Rush". Their music resonated with a generation, blending pop sensibilities with their innate ability to craft infectious melodies. Their roles in Disney Channel projects like "Phil of the Future" and "Cow Belles,' catapulted them into the hearts of young audiences worldwide. The release of their second album, Insomniatic, in 2007 showcased their growth as artists, exploring deeper themes and further curating their musical identity. Spawning hits like "Potential Breakup Song" and " Chemicals React," Aly & AJ ignited the soundtracks of our lives and solidified their status as superstars. After a decade-long hiatus, the sisters officially returned to the music scene in 2017 embracing both their roots and newfound maturity, seamlessly transitioning from pop sensations to indie darlings. Their EP " Ten Years" marked a triumphant return to their original sound, featuring the viral hit "Take Me." Their subsequent releases, including the critically acclaimed EP " Sanctuary" in 2019, showcased a powerful blend of synth-pop, dreamy melodies, and introspective lyrics that resonated with fans old and new. As the duo entered the 2020s, their music continued to evolve, delving deeper into themes of love, mental health, and personal growth. Shortly after, they released their first studio album in 14 years, a touch of the beat gets you up on your feet gets you out and then into the sun. This album contains tracks like "Listen!!!" and "Slow Dancing," showcased a newfound vulnerability and an unapologetic embrace of their true selves. Billboard included the album on their list of best albums of the first half of 2021. It was also listed on The Guardian's list of the 50 best albums of 2021.
