I Come From Nowhere(?)

Andre, , , ,

My dissertation–if you hadn’t already gathered–focuses on the convergence of popular and classical music streams that informs much of Frank Zappa’s music. This confluence means different things in different places (for both Zappa and his audience), but it seems to me to be a defining characteristic that runs through all of his work. My questions here are: Why would this be such an important aspect of his work? and, What influenced him in thinking this way?

Strictly Genteel

On the one hand, Zappa was trying to establish for himself a reputation as a composer of serious art music. His reasons for this are, of course, open to debate, but Zappa was always quick to point out that his ambitions were aesthetically motivated. He was introduced to the modernist music of Stravinsky and Varèse around the same time he began collecting blues and R&B records. Zappa recognized that the disparate styles were commonly seen to be at odds with one another. But since both appealed to him personally, he tried to share this experience of music free from social implications. The obvious way of doing this would be to synthesize these different styles in his own work.

On a slightly different angle, it seems to me that the obvious appeal (and associated cultural capital) of being a respected artist was an equally significant factor. Zappa clearly admired Stravinsky and Varèse (and Webern and Cage, among others) and that he would want to model himself on his “idols” almost goes without saying.

But where does this all come from? What streams (cultural, social, musical) does he fit into? Despite his claims to originality, it seems unlikely that Zappa developed in a bubble.

To begin with, I suspect it may have had something to do with the conservative cultural climate of Southern California in the 1940s and 50s. Zappa saw this environment as oppressive and felt claustrophobic in the rural deserts communities of his youth. For me, Zappa’s self-identification as an outsider is neatly summarized in this 1970 photograph by John Olson of Frank posing with his parents Francis and Rosemary in their home Frank’s Los Angeles home [thanks Corné!]:

Zappa with parents

(Of course, by 1970 Frank had long been out of the house so this picture doesn’t offer an authentic vision of Zappa’s youth. Nonetheless, I think the picture captures much of the spirit of Zappa and his rebellious culture at odds with conservative values, while at the same time offering some ambiguity as to who really belongs in this environment.)

While still a child, he found refuge in the modernist avant-garde. (He would delight in his mother’s recoiling at the sound of Varèse’s sirens being played on the family turntable.) These composers offered a safe mode of rebellion for Zappa in a remarkable way. They were accepted artists–undeniably respectful members of society–whose music had a similar effect with adults to what teenagers experienced with heavy metal in the 1980s.

But I don’t think it ends there. As significant as his rebellion against perceived conservative oppression was, I think there’s something deeper. In discussing when the dichotomy between classical and popular entered the American consciousness, Paul Charosh writes:

We would be mistaken to assume that this division between types of music reflects a simple division between two sets of listeners, one group seeking edification and uplift from classical music and a separate group looking to popular music for a cure for the blues. Some favored light music over serious; others preferred classical music to the popular; but many enjoyed both types of music on different occasions, for different purposes.[1]

Charosh is referring to mid-18th century listeners, but this characterization seems to have some resonance with Zappa’s sentiments a century later. Is this a constant stream in American musical consciousness? Did Zappa inherit this dual validity of opposing musical streams?

For that matter, who else was a part of this? Zappa consistently sought to establish himself as being counter-counterculture. But even as he defined himself against the hippie movement and the politics of the New Left in the 1960s, he took certain aspects of their motivations as his own. Can we consider Zappa to be a part of these movements even if he explicitly denies accepting them?

For now, these thoughts are very preliminary. I don’t have the answers to these questions. (Yet!)

References:
[1] Paul Charosh, “‘Popular’ and ‘Classical’ in the Mid-Nineteenth Century,” American Music, Vol. 10, No. 2 (Summer, 1992), 126.
I Come From Nowhere(?)

32,946 thoughts on “I Come From Nowhere(?)”

  1. Soft Fashion Case Cover Bible Of Jesus Christian For Xiaomi Redmi Mi 4 7A 9T K20 CC9 CC9e Note 7 8 9 Y3 SE Pro Prime Go Play

    Soft Top Selling For Xiaomi Mi3 Mi4 Mi4C Mi4i Mi5 Mi 5S 5X 6 6X 8 SE Pro Lite A1 Max Mix 2 Note 3 4 Bungou Stray Dogs Anime Persona 5 TPU Phone Covers Case For Galaxy J1 J2 J3 J330 J4 J5 J6 J7 J730 J8 2015 2016 2017 2018 mini Pro TPU Protective Skin Fo…

  2. migliori casse per pc 2020

    primigi 8539 in nabuk rosa stampato server proxy ardesi cereda wiki itsos tommy hilfiger tjv heritage zaino a mac douglas rabais nouveau sacs è„¿ main blanc femme sortie 蟺慰位蠀蠈蟻纬伪谓伪 纬蠀渭谓伪蟽蟿喂魏萎蟽 chine commerce de gros pour 90 nouvelle tablette pc 4 acheter…

  3. elad贸 ps3 j谩t茅kok

    medion bluetooth hangsz贸r贸 aldi t茅li f茅rfi kab谩t faipari mar贸szersz谩mok h谩romkerek疟 ker茅kp谩r passz铆v subwoofer elektromos mtb sz眉linapi k茅pek 50 茅ves daewoo t be茅p铆tett hangsz贸r贸s mp3 lej谩tsz贸 elektromos bicikli elad贸 elad贸 haszn谩lt 茅tkez艖 garnit煤ra

  4. 胁褋褢 写谢褟 屑邪薪懈泻褞褉邪 懈 锌械写懈泻褞褉邪 胁 懈薪褌械褉薪械褌 屑邪谐邪蟹懈薪械

    WORKPRO 183PC Tool Set Home Tools Metal Tool Box Set Repair Tool Kits Screwdriver Set Socket Set ZHOUYANG Top Quality ZYN240 Transport Bead Silver Color Pendant Necklace Jewelry Austrian Crystal WORKPRO 18PC Precision Screwdriver for iphone ipad Smart…

  6. bluzka love moschino

    recenze hoover hvds 5144wh kombinovanè°© lednice lista precios audifonos siemens 亘賳胤賱賵賳 噩賷賳夭 亘賳丕 è³· 亘賳賷 camisa polo nike brasil masculina kit relè´¸gio champion masculino com pulseira audifonos para correr sony en mercado libre m茅xico pier艣cionek rozmiar 8…

  7. az anyag

    konyhai kisg茅pek 谩rny茅kol贸 akci贸 piros arany laser para mira 寮曘亶鍑虹墿 鑿撳瓙 褉芯斜芯褌邪 褔械褉械蟹 褨薪褌械褉薪械褌 luva ortop茅dica tendinite rota募lietas atlaides materiais ortop茅dicos thermometre cuisson patisserie

  8. cheslong jardin

    zapatillas para tenis de campo botas marino mujer tenis serena williams sufriè´¸ la peor derrota de su carrera anillos de plata 925 antiguos anillo tu y yo plata marypaz menorquinas conjuntos licras para mujer botin nike mercurial 2019 relojes marea manu…

  9. 2020 boys sandals uk

    under armour ua mens ranger storm satin realtree camo mens 3xl black under armour storm jacket 15 under armour boys 2 pack boxer brief underwear small midnight navy under armour womens womens charged bandit 3 mè°©scara respirador u帽as d moda 2016 nike 97…

  11. 讟讜驻住 101 2017 讟驻住讬诐

    red black and white cherry blossoms 注谞讬讘讛 讘讚讜讙诪转 驻住讬诐 讘讙讜讜谞讬 讬专讜拽 讜讻讞讜诇 nonnative dweller shoulder bag kip 368 beach shoes and goodyear shoes side seam and rectangular emma maillot de bain 2 pi猫ces è„¿ pois sac lantadeli camel vinted robe de soir茅e rose…

  12. palladium kicks it up for fall

    masai kjole nabis sort cenna jumpsuit by mads norgaard uma love the bright blue topshop blue crochet shelf bikini bikini stretch jakkeså¿™t deerest copenhagen emporio armani ar5878 karè´¸ra f茅rfi karè´¸rè°©k winwinshop nè°©lunk eredeti berta sz茅k womens adidas a…

  13. pe莽as de maquina de tatuagem

    under armour under armour womens coldgear storm layered up hoodie black reflective xs from yogaoutlet myweddingshop 31 obo under armour highlight football cleats new with tag underarmour shoe under armour brand new shoe under armour womens rival fleece…

  14. anfibio buoy boy flytevest

    calvin klein soldes boxer formidable parcourir le magasin vans femme vans ua sk8 hi sliping japanske hole hagesenter adidas core 18 hettegenser ré…¶d barn malvik il sofia diamant é…¶redobber med 2 0 40 ct w si t shirt femme break noir taille xl mocassin ta…

  15. navy bulldog mens swimwear

    set pli拧ana igra膷ka i dekica bergans fjellsekk 70l celular samsung a10 fundas y estuches para celulares en dokumentu mape easy a5 nike performance revolution 3 da running ammortizzate nero astuccio portacolori wrestling 3 zip completo scuola new seven…

  16. billi bi sté…¶vlet blokhå¿™l m. kå¿™de sort

    tacos umbro gt en mercado libre venezuela vestidos juveniles para fiesta new balance 574 shoes sneakers sports brain scans reveal a pok茅mon region in adults who played as kids tommy hilfiger womens ivory printed brooks efteræ°“r vinter 2018 brooks launch…

  17. first mask

    elipse p3 filters a st铆lus r茅zvezet茅k 3d uhd tv 谩r atlantis lego robog贸 h谩ts贸 doboz elektromos j谩t茅k git谩r szellem jelmez gyerekeknek indukci贸s f艖z艖lapok fogyaszt谩sa k茅peslap sz眉let茅snapra gyerekeknek mini bluetooth speaker 谩r playstation 2 v谩s谩rl谩s

  18. carnevale bimbi costumi

    new womens under armour tour breaker full zip golf sweater womens sportswear clothing shop under armour mens spotlight red soccer cleats size 7 clearance womens nike under armour ua zinger sleeveless womens golf polo black discount store under armour c…

  19. aubade messenger bags

    anfibi susi vera pelle stringati con zeppa platform alta 5 cm k60 camicia in tulle timeless elegance intimissimi moda in pelle shoe fashion store sale sign nottingham stock photo 谞讜专转 诇讚 par30 砖讞讜专讛 e27 12w 讗讜专 拽专 45 讬砖专讗讻专讟 砖讬专讜转 诇拽讜讞讜转 砖讬专讜转 诇拽讜讞讜转 s…

  20. camicia alviero martini uomo

    0 fixed 2 boardshorts roxy the north face boardshorts men class v water trunk boardshorts amazon.co.uk sports outdoors canotta tex 1 cn tee calvin klein bianco l il grafene italiano alla borsa di londra lindustria della andrea l el largo womens bespoke…

  21. dekorè°©cie okien

    lyst tommy bahama edgewood cargo shorts in natural for men lululemon athletica pants lululemon tight stuff tight ii maroon leggings senarai harga 2018 balenciaga men039s vintage tripe s plaid wrap pull rouge mohair

  22. zara asymmetric dress

    nike gym t shirts mens wedding outfit for ladies black formal attire womens kiyonna wedding katy perry costume yellow dress elegant wishlist shirts modest inexpensive bridesmaid dresses black long shift dress bane motorcycle face mask holiday gift idea…

  23. Kokobop For LG K50 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q60 X Power 2 3 Nexus 5 5X V10 V20 V30 V40 Q Stylus Art Unique Design New Fashion Phone Case

    Strawberry Pineapple Pink Matte For Galaxy Grand A3 A5 A7 A8 A9 A9S On5 On7 Plus Pro Star 2015 2016 2017 2018 For Galaxy J1 J2 J3 J330 J4 J5 J6 J7 J730 J8 2015 2016 2017 2018 mini Pro Tpu Soft Rubber Phone Case Sweethearts Lover Protector Phone Case Fo…

  24. 卮賳鬲 丕賱爻賯賮 賰購賱賾 丕賱賳丨丕爻 卮賱丕賱 丿卮 氐賳亘賵乇 乇丕賮毓丞 賵丕丨丿丞 兀禺賮賶 丿卮 氐賽賲丕賲購 鬲賻睾賻賷購賾乇賽 丕賱鬲賻賾乇賻丿購賾丿賽 丕賱丨賳賮賷丞

    converse chuck taylor all star x nike flyknit sneakers 157507c sz 8.5 and 10 femme converse one star seasonal varsity nubuck low top light fuschia blue print collection converse punk pirate low top scarpe di zapatillas converse bota azul n 37 de segund…

  26. tv meubel inclusief wand met vakken en ruimte voor nep haard

    borsa in pelle riciclata e colorata soruka shoulder stampa 拧kolska torba anatomska soy luna torbe 1. 4. razred neopren gummistiefel damen nè°©kupn媒 voz铆k kovov媒 obchod pre deti a pin by chells on dress up 2016 puberty girl bra and pants sets young girls…

  27. stone island heuptassen kopen hippe

    adidas st louis blues womens navy blue ccm henley long sleeve t shirt adidas chelsea fc football shirt blue medium adidas adidas retro football shirt germany 1994 t铆lka dè°©mskè°© voln媒 膷as moeder dochter sieraden met gravering kus terug gentiluomo overhem…

  28. venta al por mayor de lencer铆a ligera negra comprar lencer铆a

    alkalmi n艖i fels艖k webè°©ruhè°©z menyasszonyi ruha kiè°©rus铆tè°©s akciè´¸s esk眉v艖i ruhè°©k az eternityt艖l trendi nemesac茅l lè°©ncbè´¸l k茅sz眉lt f茅rfi mango n艖i kæžštæžštt meleg pulè´¸ver pulcsi xl xl es 46 48 aukciè´¸ charleston ruha kæžšlcsæžšnz茅s boglè°©rka esk眉v艖i 茅s tè°©ncruha sza…

  29. lindas camisas r 55

    orologi da parete moderni grandi custodia a portafoglio huawei p8 lite 2017 畏位蔚魏蟿蟻喂魏慰 魏伪位慰蟻喂蠁蔚蟻 位伪未喂慰蠀 畏位蔚魏蟿蟻喂魏维 魏伪位慰蟻喂蠁苇蟻 media markt 6 dzm 20 亘胤丕乇賷丞 20ah 亘胤丕乇賷丞 丕賱丿乇丕噩丞 丕賱賰賴乇亘丕卅賷丞 ebike 12 賮賵賱 studded boots black dos piezas de encaje vestido de fiest…

  30. adattatore usb2.0 lan rj45 per cavo

    sklenen茅 konferen膷n茅 stol铆ky 位喂谓慰位蔚慰蠀渭 site 渭蔚 蟻慰蠀蠂伪 online 蠂蟻蠅渭伪 魏蔚蟻伪渭喂未喂 nissan bilar calou rea 蠂蠅蟻慰蟽 伪蟺慰胃畏魏蔚蠀蟽畏蟽 蟽魏慰蠀蟺伪魏喂

  31. under armour womens tech v neck graphic tee

    prada red jacket talbots striped dress gymshark red hoodie off shoulder gown for kids under armour womens on the court 4 under armour ua curry 4 mvp basketball shoes mens black white gold under armour kids girls ua micro fuel rn big kid breathable kt t…

  32. medical lighting systems

    abito uomo estivo 2015 full face leather mask rukavice velikost under armour womens heatgear capri leggings under armour ua mens ranger storm satin realtree camo fabrizia house of cb 2020 nmd blue orange skechers summits nordstrom teenage clothes tarta…

  33. kalocsai mintè°©s lenovo tok mobiltokguru

    szerencsehozè´¸ v茅d艖 angyalkè°©s holdk艖 meglepi ajè°©nd茅k kis 茅s nagykeresked茅s szombathely n艖i tommy hilfiger crossbody tè°©ska k茅k tommy hilfiger sè°©rga f茅rfi f眉rd艖ruha sf medium drawstring f茅rfi calvin klein fekete n艖i otthoni ræžšvidnadrè°©g sleep short otthoni…

  34. 噩丿賷丿 賲賵囟丞 賲噩賵賴乇丕鬲 賲胤賱賷丞 亘丕賱賮囟丞 丕賱賲乇兀丞 丕爻鬲乇禺賶 兀賯乇丕胤 賲賵囟丞 brinco 丕賱兀匕賳 賴賵賰 丕賱毓氐乇賷丞 亘丕賱噩賲賱丞 賲胤毓賲丞 賰乇賷爻鬲丕賱 丕賱賲賱鬲賵賷丞

    nylon compression socks valentino birkenstock cub cadet bc490 zalewmobile oryginalne etui silikonowe samsung galaxy a3 a300 coque de protection etui poche gr 3 pour samsung galaxy carhartt b13 stw wilderness ankle ifak bose soundlink mini 2 solid red l…

  35. ketten von vnox f眉r m盲nner g眉nstig online kaufen bei

    noba op maske m. gummib盲ndern von nobamed paul danz ag bei rowenta trim style 5in1 bartschneider haarschneider trimmer yumimi88 damen trachten kleid oktoberfest stickerei bluse ch眉rze ko膷ky se sna啪铆 pochopit b臎啪铆c铆 pè°©s k眉hl ohne klimaanlage cadorabo ve…

  36. led reflektor 300w premium 422

    adidas dr盲kt baby tr盲nings hoodie herr paco rabanne paco competitividad y crianza pkm basket steve madden vinted macchine caffe a capsule lavazza idola manuale tecnico per impianti di scarico a gravitè„¿ all interno di pr铆rodn茅 dè°©nske doplnky v媒啪ivy vand…

  38. scrabble original t谩rsasj谩t茅k tesco bev谩s谩rl谩s

    urnas para perros joyer铆a para mujer los aretes ba帽ados en oro pendientes lego tè°©rolè´¸ doboz 4 250x250x180mm narancssè°©rga lego 40031760 lego ninjago uzsonnè°©s doboz gè´¸l gyerek forgè´¸sz茅k abç…¤tor outlet baba kabè°©t new baby luxus kollekciè´¸ pè°©va philips serie…

  39. minoti patike za dje膷ake

    french connection overal modrè°© pè°©nsk茅 outdoorovè°© obuv obuv merrell 拧edè°© valley mid j23653 b臎啪eck茅 boty nike pè°©nsk茅 free rn flyknit 2017 modr媒 v lagoon nike nohavice av15 jggr flc mu啪i oble膷enie hush puppies dalmatian t strap tan perf k暖啪e dè°©mskè°© sandè°©l…

  40. jager aktualni katalog od

    buty timberki szpilki online dolnym 艣l膮sku na opalanie topy damskie bez r臋kawè´¸w zabawki kreatywne dla 12 latki maseczki dla m艂odzie偶y plecak szkolny z k贸艂kami ksi膮偶ki sklep online novo u kutiji shoebedo cipele vel. 33 伪谓未蟻喂魏苇蟼 未蔚蟻渭维蟿喂谓蔚蟼 蟺伪谓蟿蠈蠁位蔚蟼 魏伪蟽蟿…

  41. nike academy cup 2016 jogo corinthians 1×3 nike academy

    daska za kadu karl dietz kijevo tommy hilfiger espadrile 382949 modra pli拧ane 啪ivotinje 120 cm 20 heren truien gratis bij wehkamp bezorging lacoste vanaf taupe esprit jas winterjas edc urban classics bomber navy dames ketting zilver 925 zirkonia bestel…

  43. 鬲氐賮賷賮 丕賱卮毓乇 兀丿賵丕鬲 丕賱賷丕亘丕賳 440C 賲賯氐丕鬲 丕賱丨賱丕賯丞 6.0 亘賵氐丞 賲鬲毓丿丿丞 丕賱賱賵賳 丿毓賵賶 丕禺鬲賷丕乇 賲乇賷丨丞 丕賱賲爻賲丕乇 賮丕卅丿丞

    poweradd c芒ble usb de charge et pour iphone 4s 4 ipad 1 2 3 etc. certifi茅 apple mfi oba style custodia a libro in pelle chiusura magnetica per samsung galaxy s7 edge nero housse de telephone samsung s6 tumi travel adapter keen lorelai slip on sandalwoo…

  44. skæžšta læžšshæ°“r

    personlig gæ°“va berlock thomas sabo armband regal preppy klocka takr盲cke till skoda octavia herr outlet ensemble surv锚tement tiss茅 slazenger accueillir les enfants de 3 è„¿ 12 ans achat sweat homme sun valley lavoy 2020 hp scanjet pro 3500 f1 1200 x 1200…

  45. kraj crvenog ferala jug u sezonu zakora膷io s novim imenom i

    letn铆 拧aty pro plno拧t铆hl茅 modrè°© men raider steel toe 6 work boot steel toe work boots manchester united v real madrid real to wear green change 4x bella happy baby vlh膷en茅 ubrousky s vitam铆nem e 24 ks fototapeta tradi膷n铆 pleten铆 vzor pro ugly svetry fa…

  48. veste jogging nike gar莽on vinted

    british knigths b37 3751 01 feh茅r gpd hè°©romrekeszes tç…¤ratè°©ska miniteszt helly hansen w harbour parka n艖i t茅li kabè°©t primaloft black james nicholson k茅k hosszç…¤ ujjç…¤ ing disney minnie lè°©nyka pizsama unikornissal kalorik sc lt52 bç…¤rè°©s hajszè°©r铆tè´¸ i sc mado…

  50. the best clothes brands

    grant hill shoes 97 rush christmas sweater adidas advantage sneaker partstock charm slim business name card case under armour mens qualifier half zip under armour tapered match play mens pants womens under armour triblend hoodie cola pva cascorez odje膰…

Comments are closed.