Guest Post: How The Killers Influenced The Love Interest & The Friend Scheme by Cale Dietrich

Team BookCrushin bonded with Cale Dietrich in 2017 over our mutual love of his debut, The Love Interest, but also our shared love of the most amazing band in the world.

The Killers.

My obsession began in 2004, when I was sitting in my friend’s car, listening to our favorite alternative station. My ears were filled with a sound reminiscent of the 80s, a total dance jam. You have heard it – Somebody Told Me. Over the next few years, I saw this band countless times across many states. Every single, album, has been an obsession.

As you’ll see below, I’m not alone in this. Cale’s love of The Killers is infectious and it only made me more excited to read his stories! Check out how The Killers influenced both of Cale’s books and be sure you grab a copy of The Friend Scheme, out July 28th!

The Friend Scheme

by Cale Dietrich
Published by: Feiwel Friends
on July 28, 2020
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, Young Adult
Audible
Goodreads

Part thriller, part romance, The Friend Scheme is another twisty #ownvoices YA novel from Cale Dietrich, author of The Love Interest.
High schooler Matt's father is rich, powerful, and seemingly untouchable-- a mobster with high hopes that his son will follow in his footsteps. Matt's older brother Lukas seems poised to do just that, with a bevy of hot girls in tow. But Matt has other ambitions--and attractions.
And attraction sometimes doesn't allow for good judgement. Matt wouldn't have guessed that Jason, the son of the city's police commisioner, is also carrying a secret. The boys' connection turns romantic, a first for both. Now Matt must decide if he can ever do the impossible and come clean about who he really is, and who he is meant to love.

How The Killers Influenced The Love Interest & The Friend Scheme

For as long as I can recall, The Killers have been my favorite band. I discovered them on a So Fresh CD, which for non-Australians was a series of super popular compilation CDs featuring the biggest hits of each season. Anyway, Mr. Brightside was on this CD, and child-me was OBSESSED with it. I eventually got their debut album for Christmas, and I would listen to it on repeat. From then on, I was a full-blown stan. I can still remember how hyped I was when When You Were Young dropped on iTunes, and thinking the music video for Bones was the coolest thing ever.

As obsessed with them as I am, I think it’s only natural that The Killers have strongly influenced my writing. Both of my books (THE LOVE INTEREST and THE FRIEND SCHEME) feature a lot of references to the first two Killers albums: HOT FUSS and SAM’S TOWN.

With The Love Interest, I decided to include a reference to ANDY, YOU’RE A STAR because I have a very specific memory associated with it. I remember in early high school being convinced that this song was about a secret gay crush. I talked to a friend about it, and even though I hadn’t really figured myself out yet, I must have had some inkling as I didn’t want to admit to him what I thought the song was about. I included it in TLI because of this, and I guess because it’s such a good song. In addition, the character of Natalie was partially named after the song Believe Me Natalie, and I would listen to that song when writing scenes including her.

For THE FRIEND SCHEME, I knew it would be a darker, moodier book, so I thought songs from SAM’S TOWN would be a perfect fit. I listened to this album on repeat when I was writing, and included some references. I really liked the idea of each of my novels having a reference to a Killers album, so I’m hoping to continue this trend with book three!

I’m also happy to report that I am just as big of a The Killers fan today as I was when I was a kid. Caution has got to be my most listened to song this year (FYI, Rain on Me would be a close second) and Fire in Bone has really grown on me. I seriously can’t wait for Imploding the Mirage, and to hopefully see them live once it’s safe to do so!