Manrique Zuniga

 

My love of music has taken me down many paths. One of my first memories is my fondest.

For me, my musical journey began in fourth grade, when my stepfather surprised me after school with a ‘70s Technics quadraphonic stereo system. I don’t know where it came from, but it only had two speakers, so it wasn’t really quadraphonic, but the sound was mesmerizing: warm, rich, and textured, thanks to the precise tonearm and the elegant smoked glass cover. I still remember him showing me how to adjust all the buttons and levers to shape the sound just the way I liked it. Once everything was set, we steadied my arm and gently lowered the cartridge onto the fresh vinyl. That moment hooked me. From then on, I rushed home from school, eager to listen to music while studying in my room.

Along with the stereo, my Dad gave me a few albums: Frampton Comes Alive, Hotel California, 2112, Rastaman Vibration, and Dark Side of the Moon. Looking back, I realize how cool and influential those choices were. At the time, I was just excited, but as I got older, I understood how meaningful that gift was. The music quickly became my sanctuary. As an only child, that little stereo system was more than just equipment. It was my confidant, my escape, and my gateway to worlds beyond my own. I often stayed up late, lost in the melodies, lyrics, and stories in each record. When I wasn’t listening to my vinyl, I found even more music on the radio and discovered local DJs and great stations in the Seattle area.

Now, I’m happily married and have two grown daughters of my own. When I look back, I often think about how that stereo shaped me and sparked a lifelong love of music that still enriches my life. My sound system today is much more advanced than that old '70s stereo I loved. My favorite place now is my sound room, with a glass of wine or rye whiskey in hand, surrounded by a lifetime of music. Each song feels like a thread in the tapestry of my life.