06.10

The latest news about the large fall in the Balearic’s unemployment figures seems hopeful, but it’s not quite the reality. If only it were. As we all know, jobless totals swell to a peak over the winter and spring, and fall just as summer season begins, and will go up again in September. The truth is that we are still in the middle of the deepest recession since the 80s. There are now 10, 000 more jobless in the Balearics than at this time last year. The government plays with the figures, and gives shallow hope. What they need to do is find a real solution. A total reformation of the social security system is needed and fast. I have many friends that have been without work for over 18 months now, how they are living I don’t know, since their “paro” (dole) would have long run out by now. That’s something unimagineable five years ago, and still, two years after the start of the “crisis” there are no clear solutions to end it..

However, here in Garito we continue working to stay alfoat, we are not unaffected, we have had to make changes just like everyone else, but we continue as always, and this summer we will celebrate our 12th birthday! There are not many clubs that can say they have been around for that long, they seem to come and go yearly in Palma; as soon as the going gets tough, they give up and close. Look at the numerous empty spaces on Paseo Maritimo; where once was the red carpet into “coolest nite spot in town” (for about a month) now stands a boarded over entrance. Garito remains because we have you our loyal family. We work for you to give the best music and service we can offer. We don’t cut corners, always have the most upfront and cutting edge music- and that’s how a nite club should be. It’s not a quick cash cow to milk and then dispose of when it stops giving. It is a lifelong venture. Garito has been here since the early 80’s and we have been the owners since 1998, carrying on it’s traditional role as a Palma insitution. So once again we celebrate another year with another great party. On Wednesday June 9th at 10 o’clock, there will be free t shirts and beach bags for all those that arrive early enough to get them. From 11 we will start the dance with Kiko Navarro, Willi Graff and yours truly.


There are also many other great nights lined up in this celebratory month. On the 5th we will have Wagon Cooking. No introduction is necessary for our friends Luis and Javier Garayalde, who have been making music since they were kids. A few years ago they swapped their acoustic instruments for the electronic variety, and began a continuing career of music production with the realms of dance music. Their first releases were strictly techno, but they then moved on to something a little more jazzy with the now classic track “Mar”, which was heavily played in Garito, and appeared on many compilation lps. They have a new lp out, called “2 faces”, on the German Composite label. This showcases another change of style which is somewhere between Disco and Houise. They have also begun a new project with their friend Gran Reserva, called Bassfort, and will realese the first recording on the UK Freerange label.

Folowing the hangover from the anniversary party, we will have the boys from the Rex Garage. Cesar the owner, of the restaurant has organized many private parties over the years, and together with Ralfus an ex waiter in Garito, and now DJ the have decide to put on a monthly night featuring the music of Ralfus and a guest DJ.

We continue on Thursday the 16th, with our friend Alex Kid. Alex knows how to adapt to the constant changes in dance music. Funk and pop styles were among the influences on his first releases, but in 1997when he signed to the F Comm label, he began to experiment more with other style like Drum and Bass, Techno, Hip Hop,… for his first lp “Bienvenida” (2001) this continued on “Mint” (2001) and with “Caracol” (2006) , dsiplaying a very minimal style. At the moment he is based in Berlin and has changed labels to Rekids, along with Radio Slave and Cadenza. As always his dj style remains fresh and pure, so come down and check him out in the cabin.

And to close the month. On the last Saturday, we will have Robert Rodriguez. As you already know, Robert couldn’t make it over to play in April because of the volcanic ash cloud closing down most of Europe’s air space for a few days. Well we have asked him to come over and play this month. Let’s hope he makes the flight this time!! With a Spanish surname, Robert Rodriquez has a little Latin blood in him, and he has made the most of it. During one stormy night in 1998, his houseboat home was sunk along with most of his record collection and as you can imagine, pretty much everything else he owned. It ws then that he decided to launch a career in music production, and since then, building momentum he has released records on labels like Fusion, Freerange, Compost, and Raw. He is also involved with the Future Beats Investigators, and another project together with Lil Tony, his friend and countryman. Based in the cold of Helsinki, he is an artist of our own kind, and we welcome him to Garito.

Some time ago, we wanted to start braodcating a radio program, but we couldn’t find a suitable space to house our particular kind of music. Two months ago a new station opened, called Buenas Noticias Radio (Good News Radio) now known as BNR This station is dedicated to good music and from the middle of June we will have a 2 hour spot every Thursday between 7pm and 9pm. This will be repeated at the weeken. You can find it at 106.5 fm.

Every year the Garito anniversary part kicks off the summer in Palma. And from this night we will have the terrace out once agin; enjoy those long warm nights in Ca’n Barbera and forget your troubles. Summer is here!! We have a new updated menu, and a new entrance called the Mc Garito (it’s a hamburger, we hope McDonalds don’t copy us with this idea) and there are now 44 great wines on the list!

That’s everything for now. See you all on Wednesday!

Molts d'anys a tothom!

Nacho Velasco