INTERVIEW: Aly and AJ
- Posted on October 6, 2007 5:55 PM
- 7 comments
Some girls have it all... the looks, the brains, the husky voices, acting careers, singing careers and upcoming movie projects with 'The Lord Of The Rings' director Peter Jackson. On the outside, Aly and AJ have it made... it's enough to make our resident mini-music ed Katie green with envy. But as she soon finds out, the pair of sassy sisters are two of the most genuine and down to earth singers out there.
Aly and AJ are an American pop act consisting of two sassy sisters. They play their own guitars, write their own songs and are undeniably striking. The energy between them is incredible. They bounce off one another, both creatively and in terms of personality and charm.
Ahead of their new single Potential Breakup Song (Out on October 8th), we chat to them about the new single and about the dramas of boys not calling on their birthday (yes, it happens to them too!). We also interrogate them about the maintainence of their gorgeous blonde locks. It seems fuzz happens to the best of us...
I have been told that you have been in the UK for about a week now – how are you finding London?
Aly and AJ
We love it!
AJ
We love the shopping, the people, the food, it’s amazing. It’s a really different thing for us so it’s cool.
Have you done any sight seeing?
Aly
Yes, we went to Leeds Castle, we went to Carnaby Street…
AJ
Camden market…
Did you buy much down in Camden?
AJ
Yeah, it’s so funky; everywhere you look it’s like Ohhh…
Aly
We are going to do the London Eye today too.
I was told you would be playing on the London Eye?
AJ
Yeah, we are going to bring our guitars along.
You guys were raised in Seattle weren’t you? You started out really young, playing the piano at 6 years of age.
AJ
And the guitar at about five years.
Where you surrounded by music when you were young?
AJ
Pretty much.
Aly
It was a great environment to be around, it was very creative.
AJ
We were introduced to great music from a really young age. For us, I feel like our mum was a big influence too because she is a singer/songwriter. I mean, we just love playing music, it is so fun for us – it really is.
You are quite multi-talented aren’t you? You are also actresses – how did all that come about? What age did you get into the acting side of things?
Aly
It was probably when we were about 9 and 11. We kind of broke in acting first, I booked a series that I was on for about 3 years, and I had a really fun time. I definitely learnt a lot of stuff about being on set all the time and working with different actors, so that was a cool experience. We have done stuff together, we did Sweet Sixteen the movie for MTV, which was fun, and we had a really great time. We did music in between that and we were able to tour.
AJ
We are never bored. When we are done with music, we go over to acting and then we are done with acting, back to music!
Free time must be a thing of the past for you guys. You must be flat out. Do you get much time to relax?
Aly
At night, we definitely have time to go through our stuff at home, read or hang with the friends.
AJ
It is weird to have your whole life planned out for you.
Aly
Yeah, we have a schedule.
I have enough trouble getting up and brushing my teeth let alone having everything scheduled in for me - is it still a buzz though?
Aly
Its cool, it’s so fun. It is great being able to see their fans and their reactions. It definitely doesn’t get old, it’s the same feeling that we got the first time round.
Do you get recognized on the street; is it impossible to go out without being recognized?
AJ
Yeah and it’s really weird because it is happening here now.
You have just played Arch Rivals, an MTV series – is that a reflection of real life? What do you guys fight about most?
AJ
We actually get along pretty well, not perfectly though. Sometimes we go through the stupid teenage things about clothes.
Aly
Yeah, petty little moments.
AJ
Sometimes when we start to fight, the band is like yeah, fight, fight, fight! Sometimes we will be like; you played the wrong chord or something.
Aly
Yeah, we get mad over stupid stuff. I think there would be something abnormally strange if we didn’t fight.
I hear that there is a big role coming up in The Lovely Bones for you AJ. How did that come about, it’s a great story.
AJ
I am so excited…
Aly
It’s so cool. I actually just finished reading the book a little bit ago. It is just going to be really cool working with someone like Peter Jackson who is amazing. The cast is incredible too. I play the best friend of the girl that gets killed. It is a really intense story.
And when does that all kick off?
AJ
I start rehearsals two days when after I get back from here.
Your UK debut album and single are upon us, tell me about Potential Breakup Song, what’s the story about that one?
Aly
It is definitely personal. We have had relationships where guys have not called on our birthday, which sucks. Its just about having a bad boyfriend when your like, come on dude, get your self together. We thought that maybe we could help out some females that are frustrated and thinking they should end it. You kind of go through the motions of maybe doubting the relationship, I think it is good to step back and take a look at it. With this, it is supposed to be in a fun and sassy kind of way. The way that we wrote it was kind of interesting. We weren’t even planning on writing that song, it just kind of came out of no where. We had already started writing one song but we got a little distracted. It just got created and I think it is a fun song that everyone can relate too.
It’s a great video.
AJ
Thank You.
The thing I noticed straight away is that your lyrics pack a lot of punch, they really do tell a story. Who does most of the writing or is it a joint effort?
AJ
They might be some songs where one has written the more but it is mostly a joint thing. There is not really a formula for it, one of us will just get an idea and the other one will carry on with the melody.
Aly
We write with our producers on some stuff as well. But, for most of the record, we sat down and we wrote something that was an open diary for the fans, something that they can relate to and has some substance that is happy but has some moments of real heart break.
What has the reaction from the fans been like?
AJ
They have been great. It is doing really well in the States right now, we can’t wait for it to be out over here.
Can we expect a tour anytime soon?
AJ
I hope so, for sure…
Aly
If you guys will have us?
Do you have a favourite song from the album?
AJ
I would have to say the single, Potential Breakup Song. I love the energy and the vibe and I feel like it was the most fun one to record.
Aly
Mine was probably a song called Bullseye. We wanted to write a song about how someone makes you feel when you have just met them and they have completelty won you over. We decided that the Bullseye symbol was a good way to put it.
One that struck a chord with me was I Am One Of Them which is about missing children. What sparked you off to write this one?
Aly
When we were making the first record, it was all over the news about this girl that had been abducted in Florida, she had been kidnapped at a car wash – it really affected us. It was a hard thing to cope and was really terrible when you are a helpless child. It really bothered us so our manager suggested that we should write about it. I’m really glad that we did because it helped a lot of people.
AJ
It is an issue that is all over the world.
Do you find the prospect of being a role model daunting?
AJ
I think that it is great, just being part of all these charities and knowing that we are role models is an honour for us.
Aly
We want to definitely up hold that.
You are both stunning girls. How do you keep your locks looking so lovely?
Aly
We don’t go to any lengths of craziness to get our hair right! My hair is naturally wavy so I just diffuse it and put a couple of curls in on top.
AJ
My hair is wavy too but I tend to straighten it…and too much hair spray looks crunchy. Just use a good shampoo and conditioner and don’t use too many hot tools on it!
As singers, do you take any special remedies to preserve your voice?
Aly
We don’t scream too loud; when we go on rides we have to do a silent scream!
AJ
Also hot tea, honey and we try to watch how much we talk before a show.
Aly
We drink a lot before a show to keep our vocal chords nice and moisturized.
AJ
My voice always sounds dry.
Aly
It’s raspy.
You are lucky though, it is such a sexy sound. You should do radio presenting!
AJ
Yeah, hey, what’s up? This is AJ…
A question I always ask every one I speak to is what is the best performance you have ever been to as a crowd member?
Aly
Probably Johnny Lang, he was amazing. We went to the concert very young, like 8 and 6. It was insane, everyone was going crazy, and that was really what inspired us to play the guitar.
AJ
I would have to agree with that. Oh, and The Beach Boys too.
Interview By Katie Spain
Go to the girl's MySpace to hear their music or leave them a message.
Download Aly and AJ's new single from their official UK site.
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Comments (7)
Giuseppe michalka
Wow..i'm italian and i love aly&aj..
Posted on October 11, 2007 2:30 PM
Gio92
I'm italian too...ALy & AJ are the best and we want them to come here in Italy so much!
ALy & AJ Rock!!
Posted on October 11, 2007 5:34 PM
victoria
hi im a real big fan of you guys and your really pritty!!!tell me what is your favourite song you have ever written???
Posted on November 17, 2007 9:10 PM
Nicky
I'm Italian fan of ALY & AJ
Posted on December 29, 2007 1:37 PM
charlii
I wud reli love 2 see aly nd aj backstage, as i haven't gone 2 aconcert without my mum or dad before, so please if u r reading this aly nd aj, please can u write 2 me, at xcharlii.sx@hotmail.co.uk
Posted on January 26, 2008 7:52 PM
isabella
can you write to me every day?bella
Posted on February 16, 2008 6:21 PM
mj
I love Aly and Aj my favorite song is division that is the best song.
Posted on March 19, 2008 4:21 PM
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