Deadheads

A struggling musician travels to Los Angeles with his band to pursue a potentially life-changing opportunity.

In the summer of 1977, Tom Hargrove loves his girlfriend Patty, the Grateful Dead, and playing bass with his band, The Hermits. Living in Newark, New Jersey, the lights of New York City just a river away, he's desperate for a change. There's a glimmer of hope when The Hermits are invited to LA for a once in a lifetime audition; at stake is more money than any of them have seen in their lives. Once in California, things are hardly idyllic. Tom's chance encounter with megastar Denise Peck could be their lucky break. As her interest grows, their connection threatens to unravel everything.

Perfect for fans of Sally Rooney, Nick Hornby or Almost Famous, Deadheads isn’t just another entry in the myth of California, or a prequel to All Our Yesterdays, it’s a thoughtful exploration of the price of fame and what success really means.

© 2026 Pumpkin Carriage Press (Audiobook): 9798999040480

Release date

Audiobook: 13 June 2026