Tuning Up at Dawn

A loving portrait of the other Majorca, and of a blissful life there revolving around the magic of music – a book to savour, perfect for escaping those crowded beaches.


Tomás Graves was born in and belongs to Majorca. His father, the great love poet Robert Graves, famously ended up on the beautiful Mediterranean island pretty much by accident, but it is the happiest accident of Tomás’ life. His love for the special beauties of Majorcan culture shines on every page of this infectiously happy book. This is the real Majorca. ‘Tuning Up at Dawn’ examines both the suppression and renaissance of the ancient native culture – above all, its music.


Graves is a musician himself, and his own musical escapades give the book its brilliantly distinctive tone. A host of musicians – Jimi Hendrix, Kevin Ayers, Bob Geldof, Sinead O’Connor and Eurovision contestants – have stayed in Majorca and provide the soundtrack to this rhythmic, irresistible tour around a magical island and its magical culture.