Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Asheim & Dallas Cornell.
Hi Lauren & Dallas, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Dallas and I met at a wedding in September 2019. We were sitting on a bench and both scooted together to see the first dance better and ran into each other… from that moment on we were smitten and we continue to be, to this day!
As we began to date, we found we had a ton in common, coming from musical families and both being transplants from the West (me, Colorado, and him, California). And then the pandemic hit…
We cultivated our extremely small bubble, including each other and his young son. Some friends of mine started doing a sort of Zoom open mic night and one night, I was asked to sing, and Dallas joined me on a couple of tunes on drums with no rehearsal and our duo was born! I had a dream of doing a Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner tribute duo for years and had several attempts not pan out. But Dallas was open and we started to learn some classic Dolly and Porter duets, traditional folk songs, and then tie in some early rockabilly style, and Boots & Needles was born!
Dallas had started calling me “Boots” due to my collection of cowboy boots. And I started calling him “Needles” because he loves to sew and creates junk vests and bags and other customized clothing items.
We both came from performing backgrounds. Dallas had performed music in numerous bands and styles from childhood. And I had trained as an opera singer and performed in the local theatre scene, most notably with the Guthrie Theater for several years. But we were both craving a project we could call our own.
We put out an EP in 2021 and we are eager to get a follow-up album out and to continue to play live (which is our favorite)! Dallas’s parents moved to Minnesota last summer and Dallas’s dad, Darryl become an indispensable part of the band as our bass player.
We also had a daughter in the spring of 2022, which only slowed us down a little…. She is a major inspiration to us and the next chapter of our music and our life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is being an artist ever a smooth road? We have both experienced lots of ups and downs in our path as artists.
I have only occasionally been able to work as a full-time artist. We have both experienced the struggles of having to try and balance day jobs, relationships, and families, and then being music makers and artists in the world. The balance isn’t easy or equal most of the time. And we are not unique in this post-pandemic climate. We are seeing our arts communities struggle, particularly musicians and theater folk. It’s harder to gig and harder to make money, even if you are putting out albums or content.
We have found that once we get our songs rehearsed, we have a lot of natural flow together. We can and do use jokes and things that happen in our lives and home as part of our show. Our joy in playing together comes across to the audience. We truly love what we are doing and look forward to each opportunity we have to perform.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I teach voice, ukulele, guitar, piano, and trumpet lessons at the Music Lab. It’s amazing to work every day in music and to share it with kids and adult students every week. I am proud to see my students succeed and learn how to play a song, unlock their voices, and gain musical skills. My experience as a working artist brings insights that help my students regardless of if they want to play professionally or enjoy their music as a fun hobby. I stress the importance of keeping music fun! It’s called “playing” music for a reason.
Dallas works for the MN Department of Transportation as a foreperson/lead worker, known as a TGS. He drives commercial vehicles and maintains roadways and his favorite season is Snow and Ice. As a California guy, he comes alive for the snowy months here in Minnesota where he gets to drive a snowplow. He is known as a great listener and organized thinker at his shop.
Dallas takes the hectic and changing environment in stride and stays calm despite the challenging scenarios he encounters on the highways. He is known for turning every environment into a creative space.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in Colorado with two parents who were educators. My mom taught high school English and my dad was the Band teacher. I experienced lots of band events and theater. I was obsessed with reading too and would ride to the library and sit in the stacks, reading for hours and then bring a full backpack of books home. We also had what I have called a “wild pack of aunties” who were wonderfully fun, artistic, and encouraging. I loved being in the mountains and hiking, scrambling, and riding our horses. Anything to do with cowgirls was a big deal! We loved the annual Stock Show and rodeo, even though we were city kids.
Music was on all the time in Dallas’ home as he grew up. Everything from Hildegard Von Bingen to Elvis Presley and everything in between and after. It was a surefire combination of music that allowed lots of exposure and growth. Harmony was learned, like many musicians, by standing next to his mom, June in church on Sunday morning. Dallas loved running around the beaches of Monterey Bay, the forests of Big Sur, Yosemite, and the beauty of Northern California. He loved hiking and backpacking and exploring nature.
Dallas grew up in a Victorian house and learned many skills helping his dad fix and maintain the historical property. They often lived a bit like they were in a different time as well, listening to old radio shows while drying their hair by the fire. Always trying to find new ways to express himself either artistically or physically he excelled in sports and music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bootsandneedles.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bootsandneedles
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/bootsandneedles
- Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/@bootsandneedles
- Other: https://bootsneedles.bandcamp.com/
Image Credits
Dani Werner Photography
