THE SOUND OF US Blog Tour: Guest Post by Ashley Poston + Giveaway

by Ashley Poton

Hello! Thank you so much for letting me chill on your blog today! There’s an entire virus-infested computer full of songs that inspired The Sound of Us—so picking out only a handful was like trying to pick the juiciest set of abs out of Magic Mike. Songs play a huge part in the book (and not just because it has a rock—I mean pop—star in it), so I’ll dutifully do my best to pick out the most rockalicious, poptastic, jazzified music you’ll ever hear.

That is to say, hold onto your earphones ‘cause we’re going for a ride.

Junie

Junie’d rather jam out to Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen than every song post-1995 ever recorded. She’s the classic rock kind of girl. Pink hair, band t-shirts, frayed shorts, and Converses. She’s a hodgepodge of Springsteen, Van Morrison, Guns ’N Roses, Journey, Bon Jovi, and Def Leopard, but most of all? She’s this song, and it’s not even classic rock:

Save Rock and Roll - Fall Out Boy / Elton John

Roman

Roman’s got some issues. He’s not sexy (in person—magazines say differently). He’s not cool and collective (like in all his interviews). He enjoys weekend marathoning of Game of Thrones and Firefly. Oh, and his best friend is dead. So. There’s that.

Some Nights - Fun.

Boaz

Roman’s best friend is the exact opposite. He wears a kilt. Has a blue mohawk. He has some pretty swift fingers as the pianist for their band, Roman Holiday. He single-handedly coined the term “brohaho”. And he used to be an Elvis impersonator, which has made him very wise in the hips.

Bossa Nova Baby - Elvis Presley

Holly

Roman’s deceased best friend. She was the person he went to when his world faded to black and the crowd left to go home. The lead singer (and lyrical mastermind) behind the band Roman Holiday, she left a gaping hole in the lives of Roman and Boaz—and most of America—when she died. And there’s really one song that inspired her—only one that could.

Only The Good Die Young - Billy Joel

Maggie

She’s probably the biggest fan of the band Roman Holidayi, like, ever. And when I say ever, I mean she has an entire shrine of Roman Holiday posters, magazine cut-outs, PEZ dispensers… it’s an obsession. But under the avid Holidayer there is a smidgen of genuine music prowess.

Feel Good Inc - Gorillaz

Caspian

Junie’s boyfriend. Lacrosse player. Ab-licious. Has non-scented battery-operated candles in his bedroom. His parents are extremely wealthy, but him? Not so much. He’s your (a)typical “Hey, my parents are out of town, let’s have a kegger!” sort of guy… Or is he?

We Are Golden - MIKA

Roman Holiday (the band)

When I created the band, I didn’t think I actually needed to create a sound for the band. At first I was like “I’ll do Fun! Because I love their sound! And the sound of the Format! So yeah!” but then I realized that’s not exact pop. So I thought. And listened. And thought some more. And then found Marianas Trench, and although they are certifiably pop rock, this is way, way pop. And it’s pretty much the personification of Roman Holiday.

Stutter - Marianas Trench

There are definitely more songs that inspired The Sound of Us! Take a listen to the Spotify playlist!

Thank you so much for letting me have fun on your blog! 

The Sound of Us
by Ashley Poston

Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark

Release Date: December 19, 2013

Blurb:

America's favorite pop band, Roman Holiday, is done, dead, and so totally last year. For eighteen-year-old rockoholic Junie Baltimore, this is music to her ears. But when she discovers their sexy ex-lead singer hiding out on the boardwalk, her summer vacation becomes the cover story of the year.

She's willing to keep him a secret, but when a sleazy paparazzo offers her the cash she needs to save the bar her father left behind, could she sell out for the chance to save her future? Who is she kidding? That's a no-brainer...but she never planned on falling head over heels for the lead singer.

You can purchase The Sound of Us at the following Retailers:

  

  

About the Author 

Having graduated from the University of South Carolina, Ashley Poston interned at Random House Publishers under Kodansha USA, where she edited the Sailor Moon manga and that was really, really, really cool. She wrote a play that won some award, and can quote every Motion City Soundtrack lyric by heart. She currently lives in South Carolina with her cat (aka her soul mate) and a plethora of books. When she's not writing, she's going to the movies (her second favorite past time) or taking extravagant road trips (her third favorite past time).

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