For young women in the music scene, life is far from a ride on a gravy train with biscuit wheels. However, guitar playing sisters Meg and Dia Frampton are out to prove that it is all about the music, not about the gender.
Meg & Dia, an indie pop band originally from Draper, Utah, released their first album "Our Home is Gone" in 2005, and in August of this year released their second full length album "Something Real." Despite the band's busy touring schedule, Meg took some time out to answer a few questions for The Spectrum.
It's rare to hear about bands coming out of Draper, especially a sibling duo. Meg and Dia are still a young group, and have only been playing together for a couple years now.
"Our parents didn't play any instruments. The band kind of came together as an accident," Meg said. "It got more serious when I heard my sister's voice and noticed that her writing is really good."
It is the band's song writing ability and recent record release that got them signed to Warner Brothers Records. This can make for a huge change in a band's music and image, but Meg and Dia aren't too worried.
"Soon as we walked into Warner Brothers, we saw posters on the wall of The Used and My Chemical Romance. Those bands went against the grain, I mean they weren't your average cookie cutter band. We feel really comfortable there, it's like a bigger independent label."
Even though they are signed to Warner Brothers, don't expect the girls to go shave their heads and go marry talentless, wannabe rappers.
"We aren't worried about our image being bigger than our music," said the girls. "I mean, we wouldn't have been signed if we were completely horrible and we sucked."
Despite their young career, not only have the girls been signed to a major label, they have also received numerous tour accolades. They have been selected as the official MySpace Band of the 2006 Warped Tour and have played alongside bands such as Limbeck and The Format. Meg & Dia just recently got off the road after playing an all-acoustic tour with Daphne Loves Derby.
"The tour was awesome. There was this band we were playing with, House of Fools, who were just incredible," Dia said. " But I don't really like playing acoustic, so I am excited to start playing electric again."
Fans who were hoping to see an electric set on that tour can now experience them in their full amped glory as they are going on tour with Bayside and Anberlin.
While both Bayside and Anberlin have strong followings, the girls know that they will be able to win over some of the crowd.
"There are always certain types of crowds. Bayside has their crowd. Anberlin has their fans," said the girls. "We have a lot of Asian fans since we are both Korean American. We're just going to go out there and put on the best show regardless, with lots of energy and lots of effort."
Along with Hayley Williams of the band Paramore, Meg and Dia have become an inspiration for plenty of young girls in showing that there are girls who still can jam just like the boys. The Frampton sisters are hoping that despite their gender, everyone can come out and enjoy their show.
"We see lots of females. Female singer (and) songwriters are a smaller group of musicians. We don't want people saying though, 'Hey, they are pretty good for girls.' We just want to go out there and show females it is an awesome, fun thing to do and hopefully they might want to pick up on it."
It isn't easy for two young sisters playing rock music in a mostly male dominated industry, but Meg is certainly not willing to take anything back from her tour experiences.
"I'd be missing out on a lot if I wasn't on the road. I learn more at the clubs we play at than I would have working or sitting around in the living room."
Despite their quick success, Meg hasn't let it get to her head; her main focus is to play music and give their fans the best show they can possibly put on.
"People should prepare to get their faces rocked off. We have a couple surprises, and we are going to be more in your face," she said.
Meg and Dia will be performing this Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Buffalo Icon alongside Bayside, Jonezetta and Anberlin. Tickets are $13 pre-sale, $15 at the door.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
