Luxe Life Blog

Ohio trio New Hollow opens for Big Time Rush tonight at Mandalay Bay

Posted July 21, 2012 • 1:41 a.m. by Don Chareunsy

Mick Clouse, Chad Blashford and Evan West of New Hollow.

Photo: Michael A. Foley/MAF Photography

By Don Chareunsy

The Ohio pop trio New Hollow -- teens Mick Clouse (lead vocalist and guitarist), Chad Blashford (drummer and rapper) and Evan West (lead vocalist, bassist and keyboardist) -- have years to go before they can have their first beer. In fact, they’re not even old enough to vote, but they are old enough to open for Big Time Rush at Mandalay Bay Events Center tonight.

Clouse, 17, Blashford, 16, and West, 17, have already found chart success as an unsigned band with the singles “SiCK,” “Airplanes” (a cover of the B.o.B and Hayley Williams hit) and “Boyfriend,” all hits on the Billboard charts.

Check out their solid cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” sung remarkably by the late Jeff Buckley (New Hollow’s version is a tribute to Buckley) and performed beautifully and hauntingly a week ago by K.D. Lang at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts and Il Divo at Caesars Palace separately on the same evening.

New Hollow answered a few questions ahead of their concert tonight at Mandalay Bay.

Don Chareunsy: For people unfamiliar with New Hollow, how would you describe your music?

New Hollow: Well, we are self-taught musicians who write our own music, and our style delivers a retro take on pop rock.

D.C.: How is the tour going with Big Time Rush?

N.H.: It’s been a fantastic experience so far! The BTR guys and crew have all been great to us.

And the fans ... amazing! The best shows we’ve ever done.

D.C.: Most memorable moment so far?

N.H.: Having our meet-and-greet shut down by security because there were too many people rushing the line.

And, oh yeah, hanging with Big Rob! Cool dude.

D.C.: Have you been to Las Vegas before?

N.H.: No, we have never been there. We are so excited to see what it’s all about!

D.C.: Will you be able to do anything fun while you’re in town besides perform?

N.H.: After the show, we hope to spend some time walking the famous Strip we have heard so much about! (And maybe see “The Dark Knight Rises.”)

D.C.: Plans after the tour?

N.H.: We finish up with BTR and go right back out with Hot Chelle Rae. We are pumped!

New Hollow and Rachel Crow open for Big Time Rush at Mandalay Bay Events Center tonight a 7. Check out MandalayBay.com for more information.

Don Chareunsy is editor of VegasDeLuxe.com and senior editor, arts and entertainment, of LasVegasSun.com.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

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