5 Star Motel

Originally released in 2018, 5 Star Motel is the debut album from Gitkin—a raw, guitar-driven blend of global styles rooted in surf, funk, chicha, Tuareg blues, and Middle Eastern influences. Inspired by stories of a traveling uncle who sold knock-off guitars across the U.S., the album draws on encounters with immigrants from Ethiopia, Mexico, and Indonesia, shaping its diverse, analog sound. Built on guitar, bass, and percussion, and recorded with a full analog setup, the record delivers saturated, rhythmic instrumentals with a clear sense of place and purpose.