Through their music musicians often inspire fans to pick up instruments, learn to sing and even hold their heads high. Meg and Dia do all of these things and more.

The Frampton sisters stand in the spotlight as strong female role models and have elevated their role inspiring fans to read. As bookworms themselves, many of the songs in their catalog are directly inspired by classic literature.

"Monster" from their Something Real album draws reference from John Steinbeck's East of Eden while other tracks take influence from the likes of Rebecca by Daphne Du Marier and Indiana by George Sand.

The band has now taken their admiration for the written word one step further. During their main stage stint on this summer's Warped Tour, they set up a book exchange for their fans.

The idea has really caught on with their fans as Meg explains, "It's really cool that when Dia and I walk around on tour, kids are always showing us the books they brought with them and talking about how they were inspired." 

Something Real is out now on Warner Bros. Meg spoke to Savvy on behalf of the talented duo and the rest of their band.

Savvy: The name "Meg & Dia" is pretty straightforward, yet a little misleading since you are a five-piece band. Did you have other names you considered for your act?

Meg Frampton: We have been in bands before in which the name had significance. Names we did the research for to make it meaningful. "Meg & Dia," however, was decided on by our first manager. We were much younger and when it came to many things not involving the music itself we were more open to recommendations. Our manager insisted the name rolled of the tongue, was easy to say, and very to the point. We had few objections at the time, yet now since we are more well known, our regret pertaining to the name lies in the hindrance of listeners assuming we are a duo instead of a five piece in which each member is very important and what make up The Meg and Dia Band.

Savvy: For those who are just discovering your sound, describe it for us.

Frampton: Music has been redefined and redefined constantly for me. Ever since I was a teenager, inspired by the angst and emotion of my idol acts, I had a strong desire to reciprocate in creating something in turn which had that same magic and effect on others. With good luck and a bit of natural ability, I was able to create two discs so far in which I believe I am getting closer and closer to that point in which others will really FEEL my music.

Savvy: Right.

Frampton: Through the years of playing and performing I discover what makes music sink into my bones. I am always asking questions: "Why bother changing the drum beat here?" or "Why that particular effect on the guitar there?" Finally I have reached the point where technicality and aesthetics fuse together, the point where I am able to make engaging and inspiring music to enchant listeners. Together, our band offers unique melodies and noble lyrics I hope will be enticing to curious passers by.

Savvy: The lyrics do seem to be critical to your music, more so than other recording artists. You're more intellectual than your conventional pop star. How do you bring that depth to your music?

Frampton: In our earlier songs, I focused all my attention on the structure of the song and vocal melody. I didn't pay much attention to the unique composition the other instruments add to the entirety of the piece. Now we are much more picky about leads, and riffs, and how they can potentially add or take away from the number. Also, we are more specific in our lyrics and try to write so that if one were to read them with no music, the effects will be able to stand on its own two feet.



Savvy: Has maturing matured your music?

Frampton: Experiences in life are the ONLY thing that changes me as an artist. My "experiences" consist of: life on the road, and life at home not on the road. Granted there are many other experiences that happen within these two scenarios, plenty of romance lost and gained, personal struggle, relationships, gaining knowledge in general. On the road, watching and listening to other musicians helps to give me ideas for my own music. Being at home, interactions with my family and surroundings give me piece of mind to be able to piece together what I learned on the road.

Savvy: Do you and Dia dance on stage or do other things besides sing? Would you describe yourselves as crossover artists?

Frampton: The only way I could consider us to be cross over artist is in terms of "indie" or "mainstream". Unfortunately we don't do any Far East India belly dances or tapping routines onstage. (Laughs) Perhaps this is something we should look into.

Savvy: Oh yeah! (Laughs)

Frampton: Our music is very acceptable to a wide range of people. This makes it accessible to the mainstream artist. However, as we are developing we have been constantly been put in contact with indie bands when we are touring with them or working with them on projects. Because of these circumstances, we are kept in between.

Savvy: What was your big break?

Frampton: Our big break was being signed to Doghouse records early on, due to their support and belief in us.

Savvy: What are you most proud of so far?

Frampton: I am most proud of my skills and technique I have developed over the years and my capability to perform.

Savvy: Any regrets?

Frampton: I regret that I was introduced to music earlier and didn't hang out with a bunch of music geeks/hippies whom could have turned me onto the more technical and historical side of music so that I wouldn't be quite so clueless now.

Savvy: What are your hopes for the short- and long-term future?

Frampton: I hope, in the short term, to be able to get better everyday as a musician. Long term, I hope to become the best band I have ever heard.

Savvy: When and where can our readers see you perform?

Frampton: Anywhere and everywhere. We are always on tour.

Savvy: Whom did you grow up listening to? What other artists do you admire?

Frampton: It was never Led Zeppelin or The Beatles. People that I meet in the present inspire me. More recent alternative rock bands have been a great inspiration such as: Taking Back Sunday, Dashboard Confessional, Saves the Day. I love the "whiny" vocals and the imperfect distorted guitars. This, to me, is where all the emotion stems from. Perhaps since I experienced these bands live and could watch them in the flesh they are the ones whom I turn to. Lately, I can't get enough of Say Anything and the Format.

Savvy: Do you sound like anyone else out there?

Frampton: I will answer, like every other musician: NOBODY or sound is completely unique and we came up with it all ourselves. Fictitious? Sure, but only an outside source will be able to give an answer to this one.

Savvy: Where do ideas for your songs come from? Do you write any yourself? Who deserves thanks or a share of the credit for your creations?

Frampton: My songs come from books and encounters with people. They also come from certain emotions I feel after being exposed to new experiences. I write most of them myself. Specific people I can think of who deserve credit: Tyson Jones, Duke Flowers, Seth Howell, Dia Frampton, my band, our producers, our record label, family, fans.

Savvy: How important is the image part of being a performing artist these days? Britney Spears got crucified pretty well for going on stage in a bikini after having two babies and a flabby belly.

Frampton: It depends on what kind of band you are. If you are a younger pop band trying to appeal to a demographic of 12 to 15 year old little girls watching Disney Channel, it's probably more important than the music. If you are an older established artist, jamming along the road for years appealing to older audiences, probably not quite as much if at all.

Savvy: Seems like you are Dia are the anti-Britneys. Yet you have your own strong sense of style as performers. It seems like a conscious decision by some bands to not appear styled, yet they actually are by design.

Frampton: Yes, I feel more focus is put on style sometimes, but I don't think this is entirely detrimental. A band, in certain instances, isn't just about music. They are about offering a lifestyle, a culture. Example: Nirvana. In these cases, they wouldn't be quite as effective if Kurt Cobain didn't stumble on stage in his old ragged sweaters and a mop of greasy ash blonde hair.

Savvy: True. Do you have any stories about touring and interacting with fans or people in the recording industry?

Frampton: After we had played a show in South Carolina we were all scrambling to get into our van to take off. While we were getting in a homeless guy approached us somewhat stealthily. One of us was still blocking the side back sliding doorway and just about to hop inside. The homeless person popped his head in just above the person in the doorway. He uttered some indecipherable parable. Suddenly, not because the guy was ferocious looking or anything, but just because he came out of nowhere, one of us in the back bench let out a long enduring low pitched "Aahhh!"

Savvy: Oh no!

Frampton: He wasn't really screaming, and it wasn't really loud. It was more like the hum of the monks when they hum in harmonies. One by one we all held out the same note in our fear. It was sort of a spontaneous instantaneous reaction.

Savvy: So what happened?

Frampton: I felt the need to shake a glass bottle at him to fend him off. Nick, in the drivers seat, sped off in his confusion with one of us still in the doorway. We watched the bum diminish in size as we cruised further down the block. After a few seconds of silence, we broke out in rambunctious laughter when we had all realized how bizarre the situation was.

Savvy: I was wondering if you recognized me after cleMeaning up and taking a shower! (Laughs) Just kidding.
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Watch Meg & Dia talk about their classical inspiration
http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime/wbr/megdia/071007/megdia_literature-epk_700.mov 


Video for "Roses" :
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