YOUR INTERVIEW
So, for those of you who don't know....Yesterday I told my facebook/ twitter friends, that if they had any questions for me to answer, to post them up for me so that I could compile an interview made by YOU. Here are some of the questions ya'll asked me, and here are my honest answers! Thanks for being a part of this! XO - Dia
P.S. There were a lot of questions, so sorry this interview is pretty long. But hey, no one's forcing you to read all of it! Or any of it for that matter... :) I tried to answer as many as I could without going overboard!
P.P.S. There were a lot of questions about whether I am going to France, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brazil, etc. etc. I'm going to answer all of those questions now: I am not sure when I am going to get an opportunity to travel over and visit you. I would absolutely love to though! Hopefully the radio and the label can make that wish a possibility for me sometime soon! Thank you for your invitations to come visit and play music for you! As of now, there are no confirmed plans to travel anywhere, but we are working on it!
Alicia: What is your favorite song to dance to?
Dia: I am a big Beyonce and Lady Gaga fan. I like to listen to them when I'm trying to get pumped up for a run! I also like to listen to Foster the People.
Marlon: Ya'll twins?
Dia: Nope! Meg is older than me by 2 years. We used to look really different, but now we've kind of morphed into one, although she's slightly taller and...hate to say it, but about 10 pounds lighter! Blah! You can tell us apart a lot better in the photo below.
My mom, uh....got a little carried away with bows.
Robert: What's the hardest thing about tour?
Dia: Being away from family is the hardest part. Also, being in a relationship is even more difficult. I am not very good at long distance relationships. I have had many good relationships in my past fall apart slowly because of the distance. The second hardest thing about being on tour is finding any privacy. Alone time is nice sometimes. :)
Sean: What's your favorite venue to perform at?
Dia: I really enjoy performing at any "House of Blues," because it's a clean venue with a great sound system, great monitor system, good catering, clean accommodating green rooms, a nice, open backstage area, a good bar (ha!) and usually nice crew.
Patrick: Do you have a boyfriend?
Dia: No, I do not. My last relationship ended last July. (Wow, it's been a while!)
Angela: Why did you call your album RED? Any special meaning?
Dia: When I was really young, I was scared to go to my first day of school. I was crying and making a fuss and wouldn't let go of my mom's hand. I told her that "nobody would like me," and that "I wouldn't make any friends." My mom told me to wear red, because everyone loves and notices red and that she was sure if I wore that color, people would want to talk to me. Of course she was full of crap, but at the time, I was very young and believed her. So I put red on...it was kind of like Dumbo's magic feather. Suddenly, everything was all ok, and I felt confident.
Nyguyen: Will "Meg and Dia" make an album as a band in the near future?
Dia: Not in the near future. Right now we are looking at a pretty busy year promoting RED. We're hoping to be on the road a lot this year. M&D hasn't even had a chance to tour on "Cocoon" yet, so if we do do anything soon, it will be a tour before any studio time. That's something that we haven't really thought about at all though lately to be honest. We're just super focused on the new album right now, and on touring.
Justin: What's your vocal range?
Dia: Haha. I'm sorry, but I have no idea. If I start singing a song...I'll raise or lower the key until it feels right.
Jessi: How do you find time to stay fit on tour?
Dia: I don't! Haha. It's really difficult actually. On some days, like today, I won't exercise at all, because there are no showers at the venue. I don't want to get all sweaty and then have no where to clean up before playing a show! On Blake Shelton tour dates, I try to exercise sometimes. The other day I ran up & down the stairs in the arena we were playing! :)
Minh: What's the craziest thing that's ever happened to the band?
Dia: Being on this Blake Shelton tour! It blows my mind every night! Hmm...but in all honesty....one day we get a knock on our door. Our bus is parked outside of the venue. There are 4 cops outside. One of them says they need to see _____. I say, "why?" They say, "_____ is under arrest because of ________." (Side note: The reason they were under arrest was a complete mistake and not true in any way). I say, "No. You cannot take ______. That absolutely never happened. In fact, that's an impossibility because that person was with me at soundcheck during that time. "No," they say. "______ is under arrest." I say, "Well, we are in a bus here that we have to pay for, and without playing the show we don't get paid. We're already in debt. Couldn't _____ play the show?" The cops look at each other and then agree. So _____ played the show while 2 cops stood backstage on each side. Talk about a fun show for ______. Right after the show _____ was arrested, questioned, and then released. The cops, the same day, apologized for the faulty arrest.
Judy: What are your (and the band's) favorite snacks on the road?
Dia: Here is our rider for the tour: (P.S. a rider is a list of foods or items a band can ask for, for each show. It's like...a grocery list that must be provided. Depending on the budget, we might get 2 things off our rider, or all of it.)
Dia Frampton Rider:
2 packs of water
Almond Milk
Soy milk
Coconut water
Kombucha teas (assorted flavors)
Hummus and Pita chips
Kind (vegan) bars
Cliff bars
Whole wheat bread
PB & organic jelly
fruit tray
Veggie tray
fruit roll ups
toilet paper
kashi cereal
Emergen-C
Honey
socks (mens)
unscented candles
Naked Juice or Odwalla juice
Carrot Juice
Chelsea: What are your phobias?
Dia: Planes and plane crashes scare the crap out of me. Sharks. I have a hard time swimming in the ocean because of them. A friend or family member dying. Expired foods. I check the date of everything I drink/eat!
Grant: How did you and Meg get your start? How did you get out there, like before you were on the voice?
Dia: Read my blog, "My story, from the beginning to the present." It's on this blog as well.
Julia: Do you do meet and greets at every show?
Dia: I try my best to! Some venues don't allow it, plus sometimes there isn't enough time to make it happen. For instance, it's rude to do a meet and greet during someone else's set, so during Blake shows, I never do that between his or Justin Moore's set. If the venue allows it, we try to do quick meet and greets in between sets. :)
Janice: Who would be your dream collaboration?
Dia: I would love to write with Tom Petty or The Avett brothers.
Marifer: How old were you when you went to your first concert, and who did you go see?
Dia: Hmmm.... I'm not sure which one was my first. I went and saw Lila McCan when I was younger at a fair. I went and saw "America" with my dad at a casino. I went and saw "Jimmy Eat World," on my, I believe it was, 16th birthday.
Victor: For Meg, can you make Chandler the Robots for super heroes?
Dia: She has her stupendous chandler! It has a super hero cape and everything. Check it out here: www.chandlertherobot.com
Ashley: What is your ideal concert?
Dia: I like shows at venues with good sound systems first and foremost. I also like to go with a couple friends, although, some of the best shows I have been to have been when I've gone alone. You can really lose yourself in the music that way.
Regina: Do you miss performing at Warped tour? Would you guys ever do it again if you had the chance?
Dia: We've done Warped for 3 years, so no, I don't miss it. Yes, I would do it again if the timing was right, although, I don't know if I would be able to do the whole thing. That tour is the hottest outdoors tour I have ever been on in my life!
Tray: If you could have a celebrity crush in a music video, who would it be and why?
Dia: Oh man. Hmmmm..... I think it would be fun to have Michael Cera in a video. Ryan Gosling or James Franco I wouldn't mind at all either. I think my all time crush would be Matt Good though, so it would be awesome to have him in a music video!
Brittany: What types of books do you like to read?
Dia: I like a little bit of everything. My favorite books would be
1. The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand
2. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
3. A tale of two cities - Charles Dickens
I really enjoy classic literature. The "Wuthering Heights," "Jane Eyre's," and "Sense and Sensibility's" type books. I finished the Harry Potter series a while back though and thought those were good fun. I'm now reading "Kitchen Confidential," by Anthony Bourdain. (Hope I spelled his name right).
Brandy: What is Nick's favorite drum kit?
Dia: Nick says, "Hmm...uh...Craviotto, because they sound the best."
Jackson: What is your favorite song out of the ones you have written?
Dia: Man, that's a tough one. They're all special to me in different ways. I'm pretty proud of the lyrics in "Daniel" or "Trapeze." They were the most organic...they just kinda seemed to flow out of me because I was feeling sad. Ha! Sadness always helps feed music, I think.
Tray: What musical artists out there do you truly admire and why?
Dia: I really admire Tom Petty, because he's an amazing songwriter and is good at writing simple yet meaningful lyrics. I also got to watch him perform once and he was awesome. I admire Modest Mouse for their uniqueness, and details to stories. Their music sounds like nobody else's. Bon Iver, because he makes me sleepy and relaxed in a beautiful way.
Princess Beckey: Are you guys ever going to tour on your own? I would like to see you as a main performance.
Dia: We are doing headliner performances right now... www.diaframptonmusic.net Where you been girl!?
Marc: How do you write a song?
Dia: It depends. I have no strategy. Sometimes it starts with a poem. Sometimes I get really sad and it just pours out of me, melody, lyrics, everything, in 15 minutes. Sometimes I sit myself down, like going to a job, and say, "Ok, Dia. Write a song." Sometimes it's complete crap; Other times, I'm surprised what comes out of me, even when I'm feeling "uninspired." It's like...there's always an emotion waiting to get its chance to shine. Me sitting down with my guitar and my pen is giving it an outlet.
Julie: How fun is it to be on tour with Blake Shelton?
Dia: I can't even describe it in words. It has been an amazing experience every single day. His crew, his team, his band, EVERYONE....they're all so sweet and nice. Talk about a group of amazing people! We (the band and I) are so thankful to be a part of it!!!
Renan: What was the most important song you performed on the voice? Why?
Dia: "Heartless." Simply because it changed my life.
Max: What's your ethnicity and favorite hobby?
Dia: I am half Korean. My mom is from Seoul. My dad is of Dutch descent. My favorite hobby - Yoga, cooking, walking my dog at home (does that count?), writing short stories, and kick boxing when I'm home and can take classes!
Ryan: At what point did you get up and say, "I am going to do music with my life?" I imagine it has to be a eureka moment....
Dia: When I was 9. I heard a Leann Rimes song. My dad bought me her CD. She was only 14 at the time and looked so young on the CD cover. I think I really related to that. My dad played a lot of Chicago, The Beach Boys, America, Boston, Journey, etc. But when I saw that little girl with the big voice on the CD booklet, something really connected. I started singing "Blue," and "Cowboy Sweetheart" and told my dad that I was going to be the next Leann Rimes. Haha.
Katie: How can I learn to get more comfortable playing an instrument and singing in front of a camera.
Dia: I'm still uncomfortable. It's hard to teach yourself to not get nervous or to relax. Your body does what it wants to do, regardless of you telling it to calm down! I'm still nervous every time I play a show. Don't let the fear keep you away from doing what you want to though.
Kami: What is your favorite food?
Dia: Korean food. Yummy. I can't eat a lot of foods though cause of my diet. I love BBQ. Chicken, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, mac n' cheese. I wish I could eat it all!
Jake: What's the most annoying thing fans/ friends/ anybody says to you or asks you concerning music?
Dia: "Why don't you put your song on the radio?" Haha. It's frustrating to hear that, but people ask that question more than one would imagine. That'd be like me asking a fresh on the market, new screen play writer, "Why didn't you get Natalie Portman to star in your film?"
Also, it's frustrating when I see comments on facebook/twitter: "When are you coming to Oklahoma," or wherever, when the tour dates are up, and it's even more frustrating when someone asks that question and we played Oklahoma the night before. You'd be surprised, but that happens ALL THE TIME.
"Why didn't you play Utah this tour?" ...Uhm...we played Utah 3 days ago.... Uhm..... I mean, I don't expect anyone to memorize tour dates or anything, but it just bums me out when we miss someone by a few days. When I want to see a band, the first place I check is their website :) I love live concerts!
Jami: When will you be back to Vegas for a show, besides the expensive Blake tour?
Dia: No idea. No plans of a new tour as of yet. Also, most artists do not play the same city within 2 months. Us artists and booking agents know that as the "2 month rule". In fact, most artists on a tour are usually under signed contract to NOT play a city in which a tour is going to in the same 2-3 months. Plus, when you see all the time, production, people, money, and stage set up that goes into the Blake tour, you won't think it's so expensive after all. A lot of $ goes into putting on a show like his. (It's awesome!) People are up at 6 a.m. setting up the stage. What you pay for is what you get...and it's a pretty good deal at the end of the day. Photo below: Crew up bright and early setting up the stage and camera's.
Bonnie: What is your favorite yearbook comment?
Dia: Funny you ask that question. A friend of mine from high school, (literally one of two friends I had in high school), came to a show in Nashville and started telling my band embarrassing stories about my high school days. "Yeah, she was pretty quiet in high school. Her best friend was the librarian. She never ate in the cafeteria with people...she was always in the library eating alone." I didn't go to the last day of school....I didn't buy a yearbook.
Todd: Your fashion has a modern yet vintage twist. Where do you shop?
Dia: That's one good thing about tour...you can shop the many vintage and fun second hand stores of the country. I like to shop in random 2nd hand stores. They smell funny, but they always have great, one-of-a-kind finds. I like Anthropologie a lot too..when they're on sale! I get really overwhelmed in shopping malls though....It's good to have a friend there to help pick things out!
Christina: Greatest childhood memory?
Dia: Meg and I did a lot of Peter Pan things, from creating space ships out of cardboard boxes to try to fly to Never land, to writing our own Peter Pan plays and performing them in our back yard for the neighbors. (I used a kitchen egg whisk for a "Hook"). Yeah, they made me Captain Hook. Meg and I made up Tinkerbell "fairy chants" in fairy language. I think a number of Peter Pan memories would go in my top childhood memories category. :)
Meghan: What tips do you have for singers? What do you do before shows to get your voice ready?
Dia: Sleep with the air conditioning off if you can. It certainly dries out a voice. Humidifiers are great. Get the ones blowing cool air out. The hot air ones can make your walls and furniture mold easily. Don't eat or drink dairy 2 hours before you sing, and I personally try to avoid eating 2 hours before stage. Smoking is an obvious no no. Water is the best thing for your voice. Sure, whiskey "loosens" you up, but it also dries you out. Tea, as well, dries you out. Also, if you are sick or losing your voice, people automatically start whispering. Whispering is hard on your vocal chords. Don't do it.
Rita: What's your favorite Disney movie?
Dia: Mulan! Guess what I was for Halloween in 3rd grade! Boo ya!
I also love, Aladdin, Snow White, The Emperor's new groove, Tangled, and Peter Pan.
Rita: What are your stories about in your books and are you planning on publishing something?
Dia: You can read a few of my short stories on this blog! I'm afraid the stories in my novels are too intricate to get into during this interview, but hopefully you'll be able to check them out soon. Getting a book published is a big goal and big dream of mine!
Jeremy: Will you marry me?
Dia: Yeah, I think we should just maybe date for the rest of our lives......
Gary: What would be your perfect date/ perfect man?
Dia: Hmm...if you would have asked me that question a few years ago, I would have said silly girl things, like pretty eyes or muscular...or wears boxer briefs. But now that I'm 24, I look for ...well...kind of unromantic things for lack of a better way to describe it. My perfect man would be financially stable, have the same political and religious views as I do, and be organized and clean! Ha! I would like him to be a music lover, but he doesn't have to be a musician. A guy that reads a lot is a huge plus. I dig a guy with his nose in a book. Someone who treats his parents and family well. Not a huge fan of tattoos. Someone taller and heavier than I am. Someone who works out... who cares about his health and his body. Someone who can quote "The Princess Bride." Someone who doesn't smoke and drinks responsibly. A drunk guy wanting to drive me home is a HUGE turn off. Someone who likes dogs as much as I do. Good hygiene is a must. And this, I guess, is a silly girl thing, but I get weak in the knees when a guy has a Spanish, Australian, or Irish accent. If you've got an Irish accent, you'll have me at "hello." Ha! The perfect date. Anything really. I feel like if you've got the perfect guy, you don't need a perfect date. A simple walk in the park, a movie on the couch, a concert, a picnic....anything will do.
Tyler: Which artist would you like to sing a duet with? Do you have any vinyls of RED on sale?
Dia: I would love to sing a duet with The Avett brothers or Foster the People or Peter Frampton! (RED vinyls are being sold on our tour dates at merch tables. I think we'll put them online soon.)
Katie: What is your favorite movie?
Dia: The Princess Bride. Hook. Big Fish. The Gladiator! Labyrinth. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Amelie. Wait until dark. The Sting.
April: What is your favorite place you have visited while traveling?
Dia: I really enjoy London. It's a beautiful place. The buildings, the houses...there is a bit of magic in it all. It's almost like every old building there has a story to tell. I really enjoyed Switzerland and Liverpool as well.
Leslie: If you were enrolled in college, what would be your major?
Dia: Anything that had to do with writing. Probably an english major.
Enrico: If you were only able to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? And who is your favorite cartoon character and why?
Dia: Apple french toast from my favorite restaurant in LA. (Square one) My favorite Cartoon character would have to be Calvin and Hobbs! Oh yeah!
Ben: (for Dia) What's next after the Blake tour?
for (Meg): Can I buy a sketch, or would you bot-sketch my kid for $? You're her hero but she's not into jewelry yet.
Dia: No concrete plans after the Blake tour yet. You should email Meg through her site and ask her! chandlertherobot.com
Gantt: I write songs myself. How do you determine the best way to convey meaning with language when writing your songs?
Dia: It's a learning process for sure. Nothing I say to you now would help you tremendously. It's a lot of trial and error. Songs I wrote when I was younger...listening back on them...I think, "What the?!" Ha. It takes a while to find your own unique voice...you've just got to keep at it.
Ricky: What's your favorite kind of music?
Dia: I love all genres, but I really enjoy folk music. I love the banjo and mandolin and fiddle.
Aileen: What is the one thing you would tell a musician who is new to the business?
Dia: Utilize the internet as much as possible, and keep trying no matter what happens. It's a dirty business and everyone is doing it. Why are you different? Give them a reason to want you. Find out what is special about yourself and keep that sacred. Tour. Touring is a lovely organic way to spread your tunes. And also...don't get too involved in the business side of things. It screws with your head. You're there for the music...the music business...well, leave that to the managers and lawyers.
Elaina: If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Dia: Dang. Hard question. "If you want to sing out, sing out." Cat Stevens. It just always makes me happy.
Adam: I'm studying Entertainment Law & was wondering what your relationship was like with your lawyers?
Dia: I only have one lawyer, and I've stayed with him for 7 years now. He mostly handles my business stuff....the artistic side never crosses over with him much. He comes out to shows though when I'm in NY! :) I like to be hands on with things, but like to focus more on the music than the music business.
Ritzy Rose: If you could have a one of a kind custom made piece of jewelry designed especially for you, what would it be like? What's your favorite color? Where could I send it?
Dia: Funny you ask that....my sister made this for me for Christmas!
http://instagr.am/p/mGYKp/
I like anything made by people I like. Ha. My favorite color...? I like all colors...but am not a huge fan of neon colors. The best place to get something to me is coming out to a show. I don't have an apartment now...just a storage shed unit.
Jessie: If you were ever going to have a daughter what would you name her?
Dia: I have many names but....that one is gonna have to stay a secret. Sorry!
Shaylie: What is your favorite kind of dog?
Dia: Australian Shepherds or German Shepherds!
Shaylie: If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
Dia: I really like my first name! Ha! Thanks Mom and Dad! But if I had to....I'd change it to Fox.
Jayson: Where is one place you want to take a vacation that you have not been to or enjoyed yet?
Dia: Japan!!! My friend is from there and keeps talking about how awesome the food is!
Shaylie: What's your middle name?
Dia: Leif
Jasper: Is Meg the tallest one in your family? She seems freaking tall for an asian.
Dia: Hahaha. Yes, she sure is!
Vincent: If you could only write one last song, what would it be about?
Dia: Missing someone from home, because that's how I feel right now, so I'm sure writing about that would be the most genuine.
Erik: What's your geekiest obsession? (TV show, movie, etc.)
Dia: One time my friend and I tied bed sheets to our necks and made capes and watched "Lord of the Rings" all night. Yup, loved the books, and loved the movies.
Jenna: Are you vegan?
Dia: Yes, although I cheat every now and then. Ok. I cheat pretty often. To be honest, I hate being vegan because I lovvvvveee cheese and cream and ice cream, etc. etc. but I've found that my body functions the best without dairy or meat.
Ryan: What song did you sing when you first auditioned for The Voice?
Dia: A Norah Jones song. Can't remember the name just now... "I waited till I saw the sun..."
Luis: Who can punch harder? You or Meg?
Dia: Without a doubt, Meg. She's tougher than she looks...tiny, little thing.
Thanks for your questions guys! XO - Dia
