Have you ever gone onto a social platform with the perfect name in mind, just to find out someone already took it? Your choice is then to find another way to spell it or have to settle on adding random numbers at the end of your screen name.

Well, that’s what Alvvays went through when they decided to name their band. They wanted to name it Always (as it’s pronounced), but someone beat them to it. Molly, the lead singer, and band creatress said that visually the two v’s are close enough to a w that she saw no issue with it. So if you were wondering, there you go!

Creating Alvvays

Wondering how your favorite misspelled-band came to be? It all started with Molly Rankin, of the famous Rankin family. She took her lifetime experience of performing with her family and used it to create her own band.

That band started with just her and Kerri MacLellan, who was her childhood neighbor. Eventually, they added Alec O’Janely and Brian Murphy to the mix. Finally, they finished out their 5-person ensemble by adding Phil MacIssac on drums, in 2010. After touring with famous funk-pop bands (like Peter Bjorn and John), they put out their debut album in 2014.

Adult Diversion Demo to Debut Album

Their demo album, Adult Diversion, came out in 2014. It gained a lot of popularity on the internet and got them signed to Polyvinyl records the same year. They put out their self-titled debut album later that year, and their success skyrocketed. They went from being an unrepresented band to playing Coachella in just two years – an impressive accomplishment. Whether you think their success has come from Molly’s musical upbringing or their mix of talents in general, there’s no arguing that they’re taking over the musical world.