Alyson and Amanda Michalka – Stephen Ringer Photoshoot 2013

78violet (also known as Aly & AJ), is an American duo consisting of sisters Aly and AJ Michalka, both of whom are singer-songwriters, guitarists, and actors. In 2004, they signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records. Their debut studio album Into the Rush (2005) debuted at number 36 on the US Billboard 200, and was later certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It went on to sell 839,000 copies domestically and one million worldwide, and additionally earned them a nomination for "Contemporary Inspirational Artists of the Year" nomination at the 2006 American Music Awards. That year, Aly & AJ released their first holiday album Acoustic Hearts of Winter, which has sold 110,000 copies in the United States.

Aly & AJ's third record Insomniatic (2007) debuted at number 15 in the United States, where it was eventually certified gold and sold 700,000 units. Its lead single "Potential Breakup Song" reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum for sales exceeding one million copies. In 2009, Aly & AJ renamed themselves as 78violet and departed from Hollywood Records the following year. In 2013, they released their first single in three years, "Hothouse".