End of Tour Blog

I'm sorry that my "end of tour" blog is a few days late.  The second I got home I slept the entire day, only waking up at 8 p.m. to eat some pho soup at my favorite cafe.  Then I went back to sleep till noon the next day.  I didn't realize how exhausted I was until the machine of tour stopped, and I could reflect, and put my tooth brush out on my bathroom vanity.  

You accumulate a lot of stuff on tour.  You pack a small bag at the beginning, and at the end, you ship 4 large boxes to your house since it's cheaper than putting them on a plane.  

I flew around a lot this tour.  I hate air planes.  I hate the air on air planes.  I hate that you can't move your arms or lean forward at all.  

(I apologize in advance for the scrambled way this blog has already begun, and for how it will proceed.  My head is still somewhat in a clustercuss, and this blog has no specific purpose.  It's merely a document of how I am now, and how tour was, looking back.  

I've been on a lot of punk rock tours in my day.  I started touring when I was 17. 

(Yes, yes...I know, I know.  This is where the few cynical douche bag teens get outraged and fly to their twitter formats and say, "She should not have been on The Voice.  She was famous! She had experience!"  All I can say to them is, maybe if you came into Crumbs cupcakes a year ago in New York, and came up to the counter and said to me, "Yeah, I'll have a mocha, skim milk, no whip cream."  Well, maybe you wouldn't be singing the same tune.  Yes, I was on MTV for 20 seconds while "The Hills" credits were playing.  So that must mean, like, I'm like, rich and famous right?  You'd be surprised how bands do financially.  But hey, that's another story.  But YES, I had and have "experience."  Although, to me, the word "Experience" doesn't make me think that I know how to work a crowd of 500, because I'm still learning.  To me, "experience" means that I put aside my entire life, gave up countless relationships, did 2 years of school in one so that I could tour early, left my family, gave up on college, put my money into buying my first microphone....Yes, I have "experience."  I suppose if you think somebody...maybe a 18 year old person who works at a Dentist's office and just...well...loved to sing and decided to try out for "The Voice," deserves it more than someone who slept in a car when she was 17, traveling the US, playing in bars and houses and garages and parks and anywhere that would listen, deserves it more because that person is "inexperienced," well, touche.  

I'm sorry I went off on a tangent.  The last thing I ever want to do is come off as a bitter person who is super defensive.  It's just bothersome, especially lately, watching other people on the show get grief for "having experience."  And I don't want to play the -who deserves it more - game either.  Music is beautiful and freeing.  I don't care if a girl who's 15 and has never performed anywhere makes it to the big time.  If she loves music and cares about her art, she deserves it just as much as the band who's been touring and trying to "make it" for the past 20 years.  

Anyway, back to tour.  First off, and I'm going to keep this short,  I want to truly thank Blake Shelton for taking me and the band on tour.  His support went beyond a reality TV show.  He is one of the most genuine people I know.  Watching him perform (and his wife, Miranda, who would perform at some dates when she came out to visit), was an incredible experience.  They're both so good with a crowd, so passionate about performing and singing and telling stories through song.  I am truly lucky and grateful that I got to know them and spend time with them.  I will always be forever thankful to them.

(Blake & I on stage after performing "I will," or duet).

Anyway, yes, I have been on a lot of punk rock tours.  This was my first country tour.

(Jonathan (bass player) and I getting ready for sound check). 

  I've never had more doors opened for me than on this tour.  I heard this a lot, "Ladies first."  It's kind of sad how surprised I was when I heard that, until a week in I got used to it.  Most of the people on tour and in the bands are married.  They spent their time jamming music and going to the gym and jogging and playing basketball when the weather was nice outside.  There were no weird girls around back stage.  It was a very classy environment.  Something that is not easily come by.  I've been on tours where the slimy guitar player from the band we were opening for was doing some chick not less than 2 feet away from me.  The only thing keeping me "away" from all that was the tiny covering of my sleeping bag.  Did he care or know that I was sleeping in the bus....well, no and yes.  He was horny and she was a naive groupie and I was just some band mate that unfortunately had to be sleeping in "his terrority" that night, even though, I would like to think, my bunk should be ...well, my territory, right?  So as you can see, there were a lot of times on tour where you feel anything but a lady.  

And back then I was too shy and "too cool" to say anything.  I didn't want to be the lame tight-wod (I don't think that's a real word) on the bus with all the bands, the person who ruins people's fun, and is like their parents.  I was supposed to be cool...and one with "the dudes".  I was supposed to drink more whiskey than they could, even though I couldn't at all and didn't like the taste.  I didn't want THEM to disapprove of ME, did I?  How ironic is that?  That Dia is long ago though.  If that ever happened again, I think a simple,

"Could you please go have sex with that scandalous broad out by the dumpsters of the venue BEHIND the bus, please, where you belong?  Thanks," would do.  Hopefully that would embarrass the girl enough that she might think a chance of herpes with her God-like guitar player could wait until she was of legal age.  

BUT it seems like I was too afraid and embarrassed to offend HIM...so I kept silent like the shy, soft-spoken wimp that I was.  Isn't life funny sometimes?

Anyway, I'm going off again.  Needless to say, my first country tour was full of respectful men and women, (I met some awesome girl friends!) and full of musicians just wanting to share music and basketball skills.  

I met Kory, Justin Moore's amazing and very young piano player.  He just started writing string arrangements and piano for movies.  He has the most adorable country accent. (He's from Kentucky).  Once I finish some songs, I'm going to send them over and he's going to put piano and strings to them.  I cannot wait!  He is so incredibly talented.  He also gave me his leather jacket when it was cold outside and I was walking to my bus.  :) Rare.

There's Roger, Justin Moore's guitar player.  I've never seen someone play like him before.  Period.

There's Philip, Blake's piano player.  Incredible, and the nicest guy ever.  He's been married for a year now and gave me relationship advice that I really took to heart.  "Timing is everything," he told me one night over my pineapple malibu and his whiskey.  "Really, it is.  Especially in the music business when you're traveling and working all the time.  You've got to wait for the right timing.  Then everything falls into place."

There's Gwen, whom some of you saw on "The Voice." Well, Blake took her on to be his back up singer for the tour.  She is AMAZING, and I know will not be a back up singer much longer, although her and Blake's voices together sound like honey. 

I could go on and on.  Rob...what a bass player!  Jenee....fiddle....always the sweetest person.  Kevin, Blake's tour manager, who always made sure we were fed, had enough shower towels, and water bottles.

Let's just say, there wasn't ONE person on that tour whom I didn't love.  What a classy group of people.  

Then there's my band.  The band I've been with for 6 years.  Being with 11 people in one bus for 3 months can get very tiresome.  Imagine NO privacy...literally.  And it can really get the best of you, or at least it did for me.  I'd be doing my vocal warm ups literally in the bathroom, since someone was playing nintendo in the front lounge, and Nick was doing drum pattern warm ups in the green room, and our tour manager was in the back lounge I-chatting with his girlfriend in Japan while printing out set lists and advancing shows.  Most of the time the showers were gang showers, which was tiresome and somewhat difficult for my sister and I.  

"Hey...anyone out there?"  I would call from inside the large shower room with 10 shower heads.

"Yup."

"Yeah."

"Mmm hmm."

"Well, I'm coming out to get my underwear.  Close your eyes or you'll see stuff you don't wanna!"

So I'd run out in the little towel, that sometimes barely covered my bum, and grab my clothes. (There was no dry surface to set clothes in the shower room), and head back in.  

But that's when you've got to have a positive attitude about things.  (Something, that I admit, I didn't do very well consistently.  I have a tendency to let stress and anxiety swallow me up and skew my perspective on things).  

That's when I'd turn on all ten shower heads super hot until the room steamed up and start singing songs from "Wicked" really loud.  I'd go dancing around in the fog, going from one shower head to the next, soap running into my eyes, and sing, "You can still be with the wizard! You can have all you everrrr wwwannnted!"  

Which brings me to another thing I hate about tour.  Clothes.  I don't mean this in a perverted way at all, but one of the most freeing things about being in your own apartment, is the freedom to walk around and cook eggs and toast in the morning in your underwear.  To sleep in your undies.  I can't stand sleeping in clothes.  My shirt crumples up underneath me, or it tightens in my arm pit as I turn on my side, etc.  Yuck.  I hate it.  I've decided that whoever sleeps IN clothes is weird, and is not to be trusted.  

I learned that I've got to chill out a little bit.  If we had to go into a radio station in the morning at 8 a.m. I stressed out about it the whole previous day.  

It's an 8 a.m. performance...that means I'll have morning voice unless I wake up at 6 a.m. and start warming up...but I don't get to sleep till 2 a.m. usually, so that means I won't get any sleep at all and then I'll have more morning voice.  And they want me to sing THAT song...that songs more challenging then others..and it's so early.  They're going to think it sounds weird acoustic!  

And so on and so forth goes my brain.  I hope someday that I can start to care less what others think, and just do my thing.  Just be me.  I know Blake would be ashamed, if after all that he taught me, I didn't pick up on that!  He has such a love of life and people.  He doesn't care what people think of him.  He said it once, something like, "I've always been who I am...and now that more people are taking notice of me, it's like...some people want me to change, but no, that doesn't make any sense to me.  I'm going to stay how I am." (Don't quote me on that!  I can't remember exactly how he said it!  All I can remember is how it hit me.) 

Well, I have to go now, cause I have to take my dog to get her nails trimmed and her teeth brushed.  (My mom's dog that is).  So, I don't really know how to formally end this weird, random blog.  I'm sorry for how unorganized my thoughts are.  I think it'll take me a few more weeks to get myself a little bit centered.  It's time for me to practice Korean with my mom.  Take my dog on daily walks.  Start writing songs and short stories again.  Re-draft my novel. Get back into shape and into yoga classes.  Cook.  Catch up on movies and TV series.

Whew.

I really cannot wait to write a song again though.  I really burnt myself out while writing "RED."  I feel like my well of creativity was running dry for a long while there.  But I'm starting to feel it again....  it's that moment when I realize, "Hey, I have something to say...." that a song starts building up inside of me.  I'm not going to take this baby to any big time producers or let another song writer "fix" the chorus and make it bigger.  I'm just going to write it for me, on my acoustic guitar, and save it in my journal for when the next record comes along.  I'm not going to let anyone touch this one.  

XOX

Dia

Now reading: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn (for the 2nd time)

Last watched:  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (I'd give it 4 stars, even though I don't think I could watch it again...it made me feel kind of sick inside). 

Last cooked:  Korean burdock root, kimchi, lotus root, and seaweed soup

Last called: Jonathan (bass player) to ask him about relationship advice

Last shopped: Yesterday.  I got 2 outfits for my twin sisters birthday coming up soon.  I also took them to get their brows and lips waxed...it was a ...slightly painful birthday present. But hey, it's never too early to teach good hygiene.  

Last craved: Lemon custard from my favorite spot in Utah

Need to do:  Clean my room.  Do my laundry. Finish my painting of the women on the beach with their umbrellas.  (I really like Jack Vettriano paintings so I'm copying one!)

 Get a frame for my Tim Burton "Stain boy" poster.  Shave my legs. (It's been 3 weeks).  Clean my sink and toilet.  Buy floss and face wash.   Garden my plants!

Show Time whether you're ready or not....

"So what can we expect from a live Dia Frampton show?"

This question, for some reason, seems to be a very popular interview question, besides the "How has your life changed since The Voice?"  (Answered that one about...a million times already. Ha). 

It's a hard question to answer because, I don't want to say what I'm really thinking when they ask that question:

"Uhm....I don't know."

No one coming to a show or asking the above question wants to hear a flat out, "I don't know!"  But the truth is, I really don't, and I think that's the beauty of a live show.  You really don't know what to expect.  It's organic.  I could totally butcher a song, forget lyrics, trip and fall on Meg's guitar cable....  The mood of a live show changes all the time.  The mood of the artist changes all the time.  That's an important factor to take into mind as well.

There have been a lot of shows where I have "lost myself in the music."  Shows that have been the best night of my life, where I've been genuinely smiling ear to ear, just so grateful to be on stage and even more grateful that the crowd seems to be just as happy as I am and also responsive.  

But there have been other times, many other times, where that's not the case at all.

Like yesterday, I was grumpy and sick, my nose running, a full body chill,  a cough that wouldn't be suppressed by all the Halls drops in the world, a sore throat, and...WHAT? I have to go out and sing in front of a crowd of people and pretend like I'm having the time of my life?  

There have been shows where not so great things have happened.  I remember one show a few years ago, where my boyfriend and I of 1 and a half years had a terrible fight, and after a 2 hour phone call of tears and exasperated yelling, we broke up.  Then my tour manager popped his head in the door and said, "Get your in ear monitors on! You're on in 20 minutes."  What? 

Or what about the time we played a show up in Canada where 4 policeman stood guard at the side of the stage (during our entire set), waiting to take our dear Guitar player in for questioning. (Long story, but he was completely innocent...very long story).  That was definitely not a relaxing show for him, nor anyone.  

What about the show I had the worst period cramps in my life....

The show where Meg went to the hospital, drove to the venue, played the show, and then went back to the hospital. 

The show where I was in one state, and my little sister was back in Utah in the emergency room for a high risk case of pneumonia....the doctor saying she'd have to sleep in the hospital for a few nights with the "red alert" on her?

The show where all 5 of us band mates got in a huge fight the day before and were barely talking to each other...and then we had to go out and play together?......

What?

Most people don't think about these things when they're watching a show.  Not because they're ignorant, but just because...well, you just don't.  

I sure as heck don't think about those things when I'm watching my favorite band.

And that's just it.  Both parties don't think about those things.  There is a secret ingredient us musicians should always keep in mind: Respect for the audience.

I enjoy it when an audience is captivated in my show (If I'm lucky! :)).  I enjoy it when they're singing along, my lyrics engraved in their minds.  I enjoy it when they laugh at one of my dumb jokes.  When they politely wait outside the venue for doors to open.   When they come early for a good seat.  When they yell out a song request.  When they cheer.  When they get lost inside one of MY songs.  It's an amazing feeling.  They give so much when they come to a show.  And that's why I (and my fellow musicians) must give back.  

That's why every night when I go out on stage, I leave everything behind me.  All my worries, frustrations with life, an argument with a boyfriend, missing my mom, sickness, fatigue, even hunger! Haha.  There have been times when I've gone out on stage wishing for a delicious sandwich! Ha. When did I last eat...what?...5 hours ago!? But the crowd is the reason I dress up, pin my hair up, put my lipstick on.  

It's just like when you've been in a relationship with someone for a while and all of a sudden, you stop caring.  I'm not saying that you aren't allowed to sit with your loved one in your sweat pants, pony tail, & no make up on.  (Aw, that sounds so nice right now).  But sometimes when you're with someone for a long time you end up dressing like that all the time. You stop going to the gym, forget or don't care to shave your legs, to put his favorite perfume on.  I mean...you've been together for so long it doesn't matter right?  

Wrong.  Or at least I think so.  It's important to "get ready" for your significant other.  And take that and times it by 100 and that's how important it is for me to "get ready" for the audience.

Lipstick. Check.

Hydrated.  Check.

Vocal warm ups. Check.

Curled hair. Check.

No alcohol. Check. (I don't mind drinking on stage for other artists, but I have seen some artists that have been so drunk they can barely make it through a song...and that...to me...is very disrespectful to their audience).  

All my worries, cares, and grumbling...that's put away in a cupboard for the one hour I'm on stage.  Because that time is yours and mine, together.  For music.  That one hour is for us to forget about everything else.  I'll leave my cares behind if you leave yours:

Your job

Your mid term paper that you haven't even started on yet

Your rent payment that's due soon

You just got laid off from your job

Your girlfriend dumped you

You just got out of rehab

You have a head ache

You lost your wallet

Your dad never praises you, but always brings up the bad things

Your parents are getting a divorce

You're trying to quit smoking and your hands are shaking

I never thought about YOU guys!  I never thought that, hey, maybe someone in the audience is having a terrible day but decided to come out to the show anyways!  Maybe someone in the audience is feeling sick, too.  They're here.  They are smiling!

Let's make a promise from here on out.  Live music concerts are a time to close your eyes, forget all your cares, and sing the lyrics to your favorite song louder than the person on stage.

That's what I do when I go to concerts.

When I go to a show of a band I love, I'm the girl in the back singing and screaming out all the lyrics loudly, waving my 5 t shirts I bought (The last show I went to, I spent $250 on band merch! Ha! I love being a music fan).  I'll be the girl checking the seat next to me every 2 minutes, making sure no one took any of my 4 vinyls I bought.  The girl making friends with the people next to me (or annoying the hell out of them).  The girl who's happy to be there with a band that I know is also happy to be there!  

Cheers to live concerts!

XOXO 

Dia Frampton

P.S. My sister Meg at www.chandlertherobot.com released her 1st Thursday pieces today of Herman the Nerdbot necklaces.  (She releases special limited edition pieces the 1st Thursday of every month).  Catch March's necklace online before they're sold out. :) 

DAY OFF IN OHIO

Day off in Ohio

A day off on tour is a very precious thing.  On tour days kind of seem to blur together, and the simple luxuries you have at home are no where to be found.  

I was talking to Andre (Our merch guy) on the bus the other day, and asked him, "Do you like touring?"

He sighed.  It was 1 a.m. He had to stay up late counting out merch quantities with the venue and giving them their cut. (At most shows, venues keep a percentage of merch sales.  The standard is usually 20%). Random fact. :)

"Yes and no," he said.  "I miss my family a lot.  I miss out on events. Ya know, birthdays, art festivals, mother's day.  But I like traveling a lot.  I like it too when I'm surrounded by good people."

I smiled. "I miss silly things."

"Like what?" he asked.

"Well, for example, on tour it sucks brushing your teeth.  It's like...you have to go into the bay of the bus to get your suitcase out, dig for your toiletry bag, get your toothbrush out of the weird container, dig for a water bottle in the ice chest, and then brush your teeth outside with your one water bottle to last ya the time.  At home, it's like...the toothbrush is hanging out on the bathroom vanity by the toothpaste by the sink!"  

He laughed.

I know I'm just being silly now, but after a few weeks of tour, the thing I miss the most is just having everything conveniently out.  You need toe clippers, well, they're right here in the bathroom drawer! No big deal!  You don't have to pull 7 other people's bags out to find your bag stuffed in the back of the bay to grab those suckers out.

I hope you don't take this as me complaining about tour.  Because, obviously, I choose tour over any of the other stuff, from the small things like toothbrush convenience, to the big things, like missing my very large family at home in Utah.  But everyday I would choose tour.  Being up on stage is something I wouldn't give up, even though sometimes I get so nervous it scares the crap out of me.  I still want to get right back up on the horse.  Sometimes people ask me, "How did you overcome your nerves/fears."  My answer to that:  I haven't.  I don't think I ever will.  But what I have got control over...is how I let the nerves and fear control me.  They're still there, lurking in the shadows, but I'll still go out on stage with a smile and a big middle finger to them.  Sure, you're still here...but so am I.  

Now, moving on to the present.  Today is a day off in Ohio.  I wake up in my bunk.  It's hot. Someone's snoring.  The humidifier is on but I can tell there's no water in it left.  It sounds funny.  The lights are all off.  I peek out.  Everyone's curtain in their bunk is closed.  No way!  Am I really the first person to wake up today?  I look at the clock on my phone. 9:45 a.m.  I am ALWAYS the last to wake. (Granted, I'm usually the last to go to sleep too.  I've been busy with Korean Rosetta stone so I can better understand my momma)!  

Wait a second...if I'm the first up...that means that I have a chance to be the first person in the hotel room...meaning, I COULD BE THE FIRST PERSON IN THE SHOWER!  That's enough to even pull me out of bed.  We have 9 people with us on the bus. 5 of them, myself included, are band. Andre- Merch dude. Rob - Tech.  Chase - Monitor tech.  Robert - Tour manager. We only get 1 hotel room. (Hey, we're on a budget here!) So...after 9 people get in one hotel room...the chances are, it doesn't look or smell that great later on.  The 9th person to get the shower is never a happy person.  Especially if all the guys shave in the bathroom.  Geez, they leave their hair EVERYWHERE!!!

I quickly put some warm clothes on, get my laundry bag (Yes, laundry is a must on every day off!) and run into the hotel.  I spot Meg on my way in.  

"Why are you up?" she asks astonished.

"I want to take a bath....am I the first one in the bathroom?" (After one person has gone...baths are a no no for me.  I just can't.....ew). 

"Yup you are."

"Excuse me," I say, as I scramble toward the elevator.

And as I'm sitting in the bath tub, a slather of honey on my face, (Home made mask!) and a little bit of lavender oil in the water, I think to myself...Awww, this is the life!  How grateful I am for this bath! 

I hear the door click open.

"Hello?" I call out.

"Just me," Meg says.  "Take your time."

Oh, I will.  I do.  I think about all the things I have to do on this special day off.  A day off is a time to go to the gym, find some healthy groceries, wash and fold laundry, reorganize the messy bus, clean sheets, write blogs to you!, think of songs to cover, wear no make up (yes!) and watch my favorite gooshy mooshy chick movies in the back alone.  Days off are nice days to have some time to yourself.

I turn on some more hot water.  And all of a sudden I get really excited.  I'm on tour!!!  I'm on tour with Blake Shelton!!!  I got to watch Miranda Lambert perform yesterday during his set.  What a performer and singer!  I feel like I've been learning so much this tour just by watching these people that I look up to so much.  I don't think Blake will ever know how much it means to me that he's taken us on tour.  If I truly expressed my feelings to him everyday, I'd just get annoying.  It would be me bursting into tears screaming, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."  But really...at the end of the day, I couldn't be more happy to dig in the bus bay, dig in the toiletry bag, and dig for the water bottle to brush my damn teeth!  

XOX

Dia

P.S.  97.5 WQBE played me song "I will" the other day on radio.  I then quickly tweeted to my followers, "Please call the number to the radio station and request the song again."  I later called up the station to say thanks for playing it.  They told me that they had never had so many consistent callers asking for a song in a long while.  They said I have great fans.  It was at that moment that I realized how awesome you guys truly are.  It almost brought tears to my eyes. I love you!

P.S. My new merch store just finally opened! "RED" vinyls are now available too!  Here is the link!

http://diaframpton.shop.bravadousa.com/Dept.aspx?cp=53475_54575

For Tour Dates: (On tour now!)

www.diaframptonmusic.net

What's Cooking, Good looking?

I woke up this morning to a text from my little sister:

"Hey. Do you have any good ideas for Valentines for Jordan? (Her boyfriend). I'm not sure what to get him or what to do... Thanks."

Then of course my best friend calls me up.  She's been with her man for 3 years now.

I don't know what to do....I already got him art supplies for his birthday a couple months ago.  There's nothing that he really ...needs....What do you think I should do?

At first, talking about Valentines' day made me feel a little bit grumpy. Ok, fine.  A lot grumpy.  (Nice grammar Dia. High five). 

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, opened my bunk curtain and slithered out of my bus bunk.  The humidifier in the hallway had been knocked over a couple of times in the night due to the bumpy road.  The carpet was soaked, hence, my socks as well. (These aren't just any socks people. They have little faces on them and look like gophers. Yes, they make wearing socks way more fun. Yes...sometimes I am a child).   I walked to the front of the bus and peeked out of the window.  Pennsylvania.  Tour date...number 23? 15? 30?  It's hard to keep track of days on the road.  Our rider of dried apricots, apple cider vinegar, hummus, cups, plates, almonds, coconut water, etc. had arrived already.  I looked back at my phone and frowned. 

I went inside the arena and took a cold shower.  Jonathan (bass player) said that if you turn on all the sinks in the bathroom and all the showers in the shower room (Yup, gang showers), that it gets luke warm.  Eh, tepid would have been acceptable, but I think all the warm water was used up before me.  Being number 7 out of 9 to shower comes with consequences. I need to start waking up earlier.

However, the point of all this, is that after the cold shower, I felt an odd change of heart about the dreaded Valentines' day.  I know, I know.  You can tell me a million times that it's "just another day" or that "the flower companies invented it for money" but to me, it is a reminder of love and being loved.  But putting that aside, I decided to channel all of my negative energy, into positive energy for my sister and my friends, and maybe even you!  Now my "single and bitter" emotions shall hopefully dissolve once finished with this blog. And low and behold, I'm already getting more cheery.  I love to help people plan things, especially for people special to them.  So, with that being said......

I've always thought the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, just like my momma used to say.  However, don't think this counts you out boys.  Whenever a man has made dinner for me.... he's definitely gained some points in my book.  

Presents are all fine and dandy, but if you are lucky enough to be with your special someone on this special day, I think you should buy some candles and rose petals, dig out your lace tablecloth, and wipe the dust from your antique candle holders.  

With that being said, here are some of my favorite recipes that I have gathered over the years. (No, I didn't create any of them...and no...not all of them are vegan...but I cheat...sometimes!)  I hope this inspires some creativity when you're thinking of your Valentine this year! XOX - Dia

P.S. I don't know why some words are blue. Haha. Ignore them!

Scalloped Potato Gratin (Tyler Florence) 

4-6 large servings

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Butter
• 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch thick slices
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for broiling

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a saucepan, heat up the cream with a sprig of thyme, chopped garlic and nutmeg.

While cream is heating up, butter a casserole dish. Place a layer of potato in an overlapping pattern and season with salt and pepper. Remove cream from heat, then pour a little over the potatoes. Top with some grated Parmesan. Make 2 more layers. Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes. Sprinkle some more Parmesan and broil until cheese browns, about 5 minutes.

Note from Dia:  Make sure you slice the potatoes REALLY thin.  I use a machine to do this. (I'm a cheater). Dried thyme is fine, but if you can go the extra mile, scale your neighbors fence, outrun their dogs, and pick a fresh sprig from their garden, it makes a big difference. I bake my gratin covered with tin foil for 45 minutes, and then remove it, add cheese on top so that it crisps, and bake another 15 minutes.  (One time I had to bake this baby for an hour and a half, so check to make sure it's completely done and the potatoes are soft before turning off the oven).  This is fool proof boys! You got this!  

This next one is SUPER easy!  I Promise.  And very yummy....who doesn't like pasta?    

Creamy Farfalle with Asparagus and walnuts (Giada De Laurentiis)

6-8 servings (If you have 7 girlfriends or are from Utah this might be perfect for you!) 

Ingredients

• Salt
• 1 pound farfalle pasta
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 pound mushrooms, thickly sliced
• 1 pound thin asparagus, trimmed, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese
• Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• 3/4 cup walnuts, toasted
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and saute until tender and most of the juices have evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the asparagus and saute until the asparagus is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the farfalle. Stir in the mascarpone and nutmeg and toss until the cheese coats the pasta, adding the reserved cooking liquid 1/4 cup at a time to moisten. Stir in 1/2 cup of walnuts. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper. Mound the pasta in a large bowl. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and remaining 1/4 cup of walnuts. Serve.

Dia's notes: I love nutmeg so I add just a tad bit more.  But the recipe portion is legit too!  It's kind of a sweet, simple pasta, so if you were looking for savory, this might not be for you.

Now, we both know that you can't seal the deal without desert!  And if she/he doesn't like desert...what in the heck are you doing dating them?!?

If you live in LA or NY you may have heard of Magnolia Bakery.  Magnolia bakery is a delicious bakery which is pretty popular for their cupcakes and cheesecakes, however, I think their banana pudding is off the wall! If this doesn't make them yours forever, I don't know what will.

Magnolia’s Famous Banana Pudding
1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups ice cold water
1 3.4 oz package instant vanilla pudding mix (preferably Jell-O brand)
3 cups heavy cream
1 12-oz box Nabisco Nilla Wafers (recommended brand)
4 cups sliced ripe bananas (about 3 medium bananas)

1. On medium speed of a stand mixer or in a small bowl, beat together sweetened condensed milk and water until well combined, about 1 minute. Sprinkle pudding mix over the liquid and beat well until all the powder has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Cover and place in refrigerator until completely set, about 3-4 hours or over night.

2. On medium speed of a stand mixer, whip cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in set pudding mixture until blended and no streaks remain (the mixture should be a pale yellow color).

P.S. before you do step 3.  I personally don't layer the bananas, cookies, etc. but just mix it all together, light and fluffy, in a big bowl.  But I know you're going for presentation here so... move onto step #3.  

3. In the bowl you wish to serve the pudding in, arrange 1/3 of the wafers on the bottom of the bowl, they may need to overlap to fit.

4. Then one third of the bananas as the next layer.

4. Then one third of the bananas as the next layer.

5. Then one third of the pudding mixture, repeat three times in total, until you fill the serving dish.

6. Save any bits of the wafers for garnish. Cover tightly and place back in refrigerator for 4 hours to chill. Garnish with crumbs and bits of the wafers.

An interview about me by YOU!

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