Music can remind us of both the minute moments and the benchmarks of our lives. In his new book, The Perfect Sound: A Memoir in Stereo, Eugene resident Garrett Hongo not only reflects on the songs that have marked his life but also on his obsession with finding the right stereo equipment to play jazz and the highest notes of Italian opera. Hongo, a distinguished professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oregon, tells Eugene Weekly that his book is part memoir, part nonfiction and part technical history on audio technology. So having a book reading and conversation at House of Records is the perfect venue for him. He says record stores — like House of Records — are portals through the universe. The event will allow people to listen to the music that makes up the soundtrack of Hongo’s life. At the event, he says he’ll read from his book and listen to the music that he writes about in it. His book has references to John Coltrane’s “Equinox,” the Grateful Dead’s “Ripple,” and songs by big bandleader Artie Shaw, the latter of whom he says his father listened to. Copies of Hongo’s book, published in February, will be available for purchase at the event.
Garrett Hongo speaks at House of Records, located at 258 E. 13th Avenue, 5:30 pm Tuesday, March 8. FREE.