Just wanted to say thank you so much for all of the support on The Voice. I originally tried out hoping that it would help promote “Cocoon,” since we really had no other way of doing it, but it kind of took us all on a different path. I stayed on the show longer than I would have ever thought. Going into the show, I didn’t even think I’d make it in the blind auditions. I was surrounded by so many amazing singers, I just got so intimidated, I almost didn’t even try out. Thank you though for all of your support, for voting for me, commenting on our pages and our website, and getting “Cocoon.” Much love!

Dia Frampton

p.s. 3 things…
1. See Dia on The Voice Tour happening now: www.nbc.com/the-voice/about/tour
2. All of Dia’s songs from “Cover Mondays” are being uploaded to our bandcamp site and will eventually be available to download, but until then you can listen and look around: megdia.bandcamp.com
3. Cocoon cd’s have been restocked, therefore album bundles are also now available: megdia.storenvy.com

Vinyl record of Meg & Dia's album "Cocoon"

Only 500 of these babies were made, and that is all that will ever exist. They are selling very quickly so be sure to get your hands on one before you miss out.
http://megdia.storenvy.com/products/121989-cocoon-vinyl

Meg posted a blog about her musical feelings and our band titled “The Good Stuff”. It’s always fun to read into the mind of Meg Frampton. http://chandlertherobot.blogspot.com/

With all that said, let’s begin.

The first is a linear picking exercise with alternating fingers and alternate picking. This exercise uses all four fingers up and down the fretboard in the following pattern:

fig.1 (refer to video)
1-2-3-4
2-3-4-1
3-4-1-2
4-1-2-3

This pattern is played on each string starting on the 6th string, 1st fret.
You can also use a 3 finger pattern for the same linear exercise.

fig.2 fig.3 (refer to video)
1-2-4 1-3-4
2-4-1 or 3-4-1
4-1-2 4-1-3

For writing guitar riffs or improvising, these linear patterns are very helpful (refer to video for some examples). Try playing a major scale or the pentatonic scale using the same pattern, or come up with your own.
Some tips:
~ Always practice with a metronome. Start with a comfortable speed then slowly increase the tempo when you improve.
~ When your hands or fingers start hurting, stop. A strained hand is like a runner getting a leg cramp. Stretch it out then continue.
~ Practice standing up. You’re not going to play at Wembley stadium sitting down, are you?
~ It is better to practice for 10 minutes everyday as opposed to practicing for 10 hours one day a week.
~ The guitar is an instrument to play music. Making music should always come first.
~ Practice does not make perfect. “Perfect Practice” makes perfect:

When Banzan was walking through a market He overheard a conversation between a butcher and his customer.
“Give me the best piece of meat you have,” said the customer.
“Everything in my shop is the best,” replied the butcher. “You cannot find any piece of meat that is not the best.”
At these words Banzan became enlightened.

Nick has been diligently sending out merch orders thanks to Dia’s adventure on “The Voice”. You guys should have seen how angry the postal workers were. So glad I was able to slip out of that situation (sorry Nick, appointments call).

Of course, you probably all have heard what I’ve been up to. I created my own jewelry line called Chandler the Robot. If you don’t know what that’s all about, a great time for you to witness the madness would be this coming Thursday at 1:00 p.m. where I will be releasing my 2nd special edition “Cowbot” piece (a cowboy robot. Yes, it’s true!) I designed the Cowbot for Blake Shelton and his wife while Dia was on “The Voice”. You can visit my jewelry website/blog here: http://chandlertherobot.blogspot.com/

Dia hasn’t been up to much lately, kind of laying around, ya know, being on national television and stealing hearts across the nation and stuff. It’s no big deal.

Jonathan and Carlo, where are you? It’s like tweedle dee and tweedle dum’s shenanagans have been erased from my life these past few months. I knew something was contributing to the general lack of excitement. Should have had those two in charge of writing these blogs instead of me so I can see what the heck they’ve been up to!

I’ve quite enjoyed watching Dia’s youtube videos of her covers. If you guys haven’t seen those yet, seek those out! They are sure to brighten your mood, and be inspiring at the very least.

And now for the million dollar questions that have been sweeping the Meg and Dia facebook status pages:

“What’s going to happen with the band?” “Meg, are you going to try out for the 2nd season of “The Voice?” “Are you guys still going to write music together?” “Isn’t Dia already famous?”

Let’s see, I don’t know what’s going to happen. One thing I have learned through this amazing roller coaster ride I call “being in a band for 6 years” is that, we never knew what was going to happen more than one month in advance, and that was both terrifying and exciting.

No, I will not be trying out. Are you kidding!? Dia’s got balls and I don’t, and that’s that.

Yes, we are still going to write music together. I wrote her a song just the other day. I think she liked it, but you know, she could just be being nice. Ha ha. I kid. I’m pretty sure she liked it.

As for the last question, to negate Dia’s achievements on “The Voice” because she has had experience in the music industry is a terrible reason to brush away all the hundreds of thousands of new fans she has introduced to the music of Meg and Dia. But I guess ya can’t please everybody.

Bottom line: changes are to be expected, and if you look at it the right way they make you stronger, smarter, and overall a better person. We’ve grown into family with each year of playing music together, and a reality t.v. show isn’t going to tear that sort of bond apart, so ya’ll can lay your worries to rest! We are.

Dia, will be writing some future blogs as well, relaying her adventures in L.A. which I am also excited to hear about as well.

I hope everyone is wearing sun block and enjoying themselves this season.

~Meg

Dia performs “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M.

Pretty great, right? Have yourself a look at her page on The Voice dot com: http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/dia-frampton/

If you’re just discovering Dia Frampton and The Meg & Dia Band, you should check out http://megdia.bandcamp.com/

Meg and Nick will be at the first 3 dates of Warped Tour this weekend at the “Chandler The Robot” booth, selling all kinds of Meg’s handmade goodies. The dates are:

Friday, June 24th – Dallas, TX (Gexa Energy Pavillion)
Saturday, June 25th – Houston, TX (Sam Houston Race Park)
Sunday, June 26th – San Antonio, TX (AT&T Center)

Meg’s Blog: http://chandlertherobot.blogspot.com/

BD-BD-BD- That’s All Folks… for today.

Meg & Jade Frampton were there to support Dia, and they had this to say… Jade: Watching Dia perform Heartless in front of the world was like a box of chocolates, I didn’t know what to expect, but it was delicious. Meg: Watching Dia on the Voice was one of those really big moments in life like birthing a child or getting married, even though I’ve never experienced either of those, I can imagine how monumental they are.

You can always take a gander into the mind of Meg Frampton by visiting her blog: http://www.chandlertherobot.blogspot.com We will be updating things often now that we have a new site that makes things much easier for us.

Take care out there.

While you’re there you might want to take a look at the new “Album Bundle” which includes physical copies of all Meg & Dia albums that are currently in stock.

If you are one of the few that didn’t see Dia on The Voice last night, well you simply must!

You can pick-up a physical copy of Meg & Dia’s latest album “Cocoon” from the Meg & Dia merch store
You can also download it from iTunes and the Meg & Dia BandCamp page.
Enjoy!

~The Meg & Dia band~

Today is the day that Cocoon is presented in it’s entirety and in physical form. We are so excited for you to hear, touch, feel and taste the delight that we have created.

As some of you may already know, Cocoon was funded by us Meg & Dia’s and no one else, this is our blood, sweat, tears, and hard earned money in audio form. Please enjoy it, and while you are, remember that this is Meg & Dia and no one else, no label, corporation or business behind it. That should make you feel like a million bucks, because you are supporting Meg & Dia and the music that we have created, and for that support we can’t thank you enough!

iTunes – http://bit.ly/gZskGY

BandCamp – http://bit.ly/fTSEOZ

Storenvy – http://bit.ly/gNriQX