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. 褎懈褉屑械薪薪邪褟 泻芯褎褌邪 adidas originals street diver 褉邪蟹屑械褉 s

    chanel samsung galaxy tab s4 cover 谐芯褉芯褋泻芯锌 薪邪 2017 谐芯写 褌懈谐褉 谐芯褉芯褋泻芯锌 薪邪 谐芯写 谐芯褉芯褋泻芯锌 泻芯胁褉懈泻懈 薪邪 chery 06 . 邪胁褌芯泻芯胁褉懈泻懈 eva 锌褉芯写邪卸邪 胁械褌褉芯胁泻邪 卸械薪褋泻邪褟 谢械谐泻邪褟 100 薪械泄谢芯薪 penfield navy

  2. newyorkjurk sale

    zwarte en witte christmas sweater heren rode checked broek astr nordstrom rack svea fina læ°“gskor beige skor herr dam skor toppar punkt kil pale pink trendiga bangbang copenhagen randiga leggings med kn盲lappar nike presto fly khaki roze en zwarte nike s…

  3. vetements rosso felpa

    off the shoulder b铆l茅 long sleeve puma suede heart celebrate hello kitty vans sk8 hi rosso sleeveless zip up felpa 2020 nike tuned 1 kids retro 1 low wei脽e anti social social club kkoch nike air m2k

  4. tartarughe ninja mutant stealth tech

    piatti pratici di carta e ceramica gheda dog dog wild regional farm senza cereali per cani adulti gel su unghie naturali passaggi archivi diana nail shop cuccia per cani kenny gioielli in argento e pietre dure adidas schuhe ratenkauf jacke fell damen w…

  7. zapatillas chic

    promotion la redoute meuble chaussure ouverte homme cuir head youtek speed mp soutien gorge silicone housse de matelas 160x200x30 sandale bottine femme legging sport lidl moda se帽ora carrefour

  9. pantalones ciclismo mujer cortos pantalon corto de

    elettrosega stihl mse q 2016 di vendita caldo donna kmb scarpe blu kmb elike detalles de corral hombre vaquero snip piel dedo pie botas cowboy miel 0 island of gods high waist bikini bottoms black roxy speedo boys swim trunks block the burn blue size t…

  10. chaqueta piel azul zara

    new era nba graphic overlap chicago bulls pantalè´¸n corto negro nuova moda eastpak zaini marsupi verde donna sbocco wwf astuccio scuola 2018 19 3 zip completo panini seghetto alternativo bosh professional i migliori prodotti bailarinas de mujer butterfl…

  11. sapka gyerek 艖szi tavaszi

    fucsia 20 cm flamingo 808 scintillare plateau sandali donna con tacco versace ve2150q cod. colore 134187 kotn铆kov茅 拧nç…¤rovacie topè°©nky stone ciciban vendite di marca 2018 bambini della molla casuale sport nike uniformes da mlb a partir de 2020 diaz outd…

  13. comment soigner fissure tendon epaule

    meilleur site cosmetique bio pantalon randonn茅e millet homme pr茅sentation agence communication chausson b茅b茅 cuir pas cher abri de bois pas cher etui samsung s3 sony m5 coque sous vetement fila femme chaussure marque femme solde coque lebron s5 edge

  14. prosto t shirt jordan white

    no.224 灏忋仌銇儧銉笺偣銈枫儱銉笺儘銉冦偗銉偣 coach 銈炽兗銉?銈枫偘銉嶃儊銉ｃ兗 銈儶銉冦儣 銉囥儫 銉濄兗銉?銈枫儳銉儉銉?妤藉ぉ甯傚牬 銈偡銉ャ偝銈枫儱 銈广儖銉笺偒銉笺伄閫氳博 銉椼兗銉?puma disc blaze electric 361409 02 銉囥偅銈广偗 銉栥儸銈ゃ偤 銈ㄣ儸銈儓銉儍銈?銈广儖銉笺偒銉?銉°兂銈?銉儑銈ｃ兗銈?bros chanel 銈枫儯銉嶃儷 銉栥儵銉炽儔 銉庛儥銉儐銈?銉斻偄銈?銉戙兗銉?銈淬兗銉儔 鑺便儮銉併兗銉?cod…

  15. mypakage m weekday trunk ink high vis orang kalsonger

    adrianna papell maxikl盲nning kvinna svart kl盲der kl盲nningar bellroy card pocket blue steel p茅nztè°©rca 鏂扮敓鍏?鏈?銈儛銉笺偑銉笺儷 涓彜 銉椼兗銉?puma 銈广儖銉笺偒銉?銈广偍銉笺儔 銉忋偆銈儍銉?銈ゃ兂銉掋兗銉?銈枫儱銉笺偤 22.5 榛?銉栥儵銉冦偗 31 銉儑銈ｃ兗銈?au wowma 銉偊銉?銉嬨儱銉笺儛銉┿兂銈?ml574 vgr 銈儵銈枫儍銈?銉┿兂銉嬨兂銈般偡銉ャ兗銈?…

  16. marcas de camisa polo masculina

    zuecos piel cadenas oro 9 kilates hombre tenis reebok de mujer 2016 vestidos casuales de jovenes esmaltes de u帽as online adaptador usb c a micro usb schuhdesigner festina uhren damen gold lacoste damenuhr rosegold camouflage rucksack nike

  17. z枚ld hossz煤 ujj煤 b艖 szab谩s煤 n艖i bl煤z nem rugalmas anyag

    pè°©rna kerti padra 3 f艖 r茅sz茅re zæžšld ç…¤j xxl 4 6 szem茅lyes csalè°©di sè°©tor v铆zè°©llè´¸ pavilon kemping esk眉v艖i ruhaszalon budapest legjobb dunawedding menyasszonyi cinturino nero daniel wellington cardigan donna invernale gucci decorazioni alberi natalizi tres…

  19. tan cord mini skirt

    loungefly disney big hero 6 3d baymax iphone 6 6s case paris iphone 8 etsy 褌褍褎谢懈 薪邪 泻邪斜谢褍泻械 5 褋屑 under armour womens favourite graphic tote bag

  20. body con scollo quadrato

    polo napapijri elbas borsoni per neonati chicco gucci saldi biancheria letto alberta ferretti abiti da sposa cani da regalare di piccola taglia neptunus dioptriè°©s ç…¤szè´¸szem眉veg sportvilè°©g piact茅r ametiszt bokalè°©nc szexi csupa csipke nyitott moletti bugy…

  21. d臎tsk茅 botasky adidas

    nike air max little kids jordan 5 bronze ecco snehule damske cestovn铆 kufry mal茅 karlsson san jose jersey d臎ck谩 kola parka d谩msk谩 zimn铆 tamaris group burgundy suede fenty pumas reebok classics mens canyon jersey mtb reebok classic pearl

  23. borse di cuoio vintage

    huawei tablet 10.8 antonello serio borse orologi per bambini di 8 anni amazon felpe uomo con cappuccio collana crocifisso oro uomo calvin klein completo uomo ballerine usate negozi scarpe prada gucci scarpe diadora in offerta

  24. foulard moto vintage

    sueter tejido para ni帽a 6 a帽os cable usb por metro sudaderas de chica carrefour catalogo oechsle 2016 relojes de moda para hombres 2015 gucci carcasas celular huawei y3 2 botas borcegos de mujer fundas iphone 6 s plus baratas carrefour coque nfl prix s…

  25. ted baker x20 per donna

    boy e girl matching abiti fork design vestiti t锚nis puma bmw ms casual mid masculino branco e azul 丕賱爻丕毓丞 丕賱匕賰賷丞 apple watch series 1 sport semi formal for da uomo attire african funeral vestito styles blake lively burgundy vestito gucci 2 pc abiti da…

  27. gebruikte fietsen van der leeden fietsen

    tran莽a longa capacete rosa fixa 65cm rabo cavalo moto girls bagage bijboeken wij regelen het d reizen witte nike schoenen dames goedkoop lage prijs s茫o paulo ganha loja especializada em fa莽a voc锚 mesmo

  28. datart ledni膷ky whirlpool

    pè°©nsk茅 tenisky adidas levn臎 adidas ultraboost pè°©nsk茅 unisex stylov茅 boty converse outlet expert sportovn铆 obuv praha dè°©msk茅 boty geox 膷.39 膷esk茅 bud臎jovice sbazar nadm臎rn茅 velikosti prima mè´¸da madam rage blogger challenge part 2 wedding guest two blue…

  30. tommy bahama crinkle boyfriend shirt swim cover up

    coperta plaid coperta in pile coperta tv coperta in come localizzare un cellulare altrui salvatore aranzulla le donne attraenti poco affidabili sul lavoro lo bolle di sapone e quali rischi velo de novia azul newborn baby girl romper primavera caliente…

  31. 銉曘偐銉笺優銉ⅷ銈广偪銈?銉栥儷銉?t銈枫儯銉勩偦銉冦儓 鍟嗗搧

    structured t shirt blair sada prstenæš– triple simple chirurgickè°© ocel dè°©rkovè°© krabi膷ka zdarma amazon 銉椼兗銉?銈搞儱銉嬨偄 liga 銈层兗銉犮偡銉ｃ儎 銈层兗銉?web闄愬畾 multi pattern hi west swimwear riberce 鑺辨焺 銉囥儖銉犳焺銉忋偆銉嶃儍銈儞銈儖 姘寸潃 9m銈点偆銈?/a> 灏忓鐢熷コ瀛?銇婃磼钀姐儖銉冦儓銇с亰銈併亱銇?銈儍銈哄悜銇戠銉嬨…

  32. dillards baptism gowns

    true violet cross front bardot skater abito da ballo girls 3 di 1 cappotto red e bianco vestito for girl 銈广兗銉勩伄涓娿伀鍚堛亞銉€銈︺兂 銈般兗銈广儉銈︺兂銇?czapki m臋skie zimowe sportowy vestido de festa na jose paulino vestidos vestidos longos chicwish embroidered vestito r…

  33. nastri per decorare albero di natale

    kanz k茅k kæžštæžštt bet茅tes pl眉ss rugi szett vans atwood low flocked bandana cip艖 wccshop akvarell ceruza 24 db t茅li ker茅kpè°©ros æžšltæžšzkæžšd茅s ruhè°©zati tanè°©csok ç…¤j vs. felç…¤j铆tott laptop. melyiket vè°©lasszam vè°©sè°©rlè°©s ipanema fashion sandal n艖i szandè°©l n艖i szandè°©…

  34. 蠂蟻喂蟽蟿慰蠀纬蔚谓谓喂伪蟿喂魏伪 蟿蟻伪蟺蔚味慰渭伪谓蟿畏位伪 蔚委未畏 蠂蟻喂蟽蟿慰蠀纬蔚谓谓喂维蟿喂魏慰蠀

    camiseta vans negro algodon mujer dormeo putni jastuk go kabè°©t babe coat 19 luanda aluga moradias casas next pinafore vestito new party wear vestito for man deep v neck abiti senza maniche vestito economico monday jeans miglior waist cincher shapewear…

  35. n艖i eleg谩ns ingek

    ytterté…¶y herre pæ°“ nett herreklå¿™r nike downshifter 8 bebek spor ayakkabè°‹ 922859 600 updigo stella bloom nyc collana fish bluza m臋ska lee bluza 璧ゃ仭銈冦倱銇畾缇┿仯銇︼紵 浣曟浣曘兌鏈堛伨銇с亴璧ゃ仭銈冦倱锛?璧ゃ仭銈冦倱銇緦 鍐嶅叆鑽?涓婃墜銇忚厱闅犮仐 銉愩兂銉夈偉銉撱偔銉?姘寸潃 銈汇儜銉兗銉?銈裤兂銈儖 2019骞存渶鏂?銈便偆銉堛偣銉氥兗銉…

  36. zimn铆 obuv bez podpatku barva 膷erven谩 w r obuv

    calzado puma para mujer medias para descanso zapatillas varè´¸n moda 711 jaguar botas caterpillar para hombre envios gratis gris 魏伪蟻蔚魏位蔚蟽 蟿蟻伪蟺蔚味伪蟻喂伪蟽 蠁胃畏谓蔚蟽 渭伪纬喂慰 渭蟺喂魏喂谓喂 渭蔚 蔚谓伪谓 蠅渭慰 dè°©msk茅 funk膷n铆 kalhoty hannah praha valentino by mario valentino divina…

  37. puma oble膷en铆

    gumi膷ky do vlas暖 army ko拧ile obuv rn free nike puma mens flip flops thong sandals kipling bags nike air max flair se sportovn铆 obuv reebok leginy s kapsou nike lebron bred nike dual fusion womens running shoes

  38. adidas essential shirt

    under armour speedform gemini 2 price nove muske pantalone odlicne muske pantalone za for 1500 rsd in beograd mu拧ke pantalone on suti茫 com bojo renda em poliamida azul lingerie qualidade

  39. happy socks kalsonger med r盲nder

    bottega veneta 銈兗銈便兗銈?銈枫儯銉夈偊銈般儸銉?銈ゃ兂銉堛儸銉併儯銉笺儓銉娿儍銉?120742 銉椼儵銉€ 銉愩儍銈?鍙ｃ偝銉?michael michael kors 銉炪偆銈便儷銉炪偆銈便儷銈炽兗銈?銉兂銉斻兗銈?銉庛兗銈广儶銉笺儢 銉嶃偆銉撱兗 涓彜銉栥儵銉炽儔閫氳博銇畆eclo 銈兂銉戙兂銉炪兂 瀛愪緵 姘寸潃銇€氳博 100鐐逛互涓?/a> b眉y眉kannemin sand谋臒谋 vintage mont ve kaban oversize ka艧e endu…

  40. gucci g timeless quartz watch ya1264068 io watches

    kids wayfarer zonnebril blauw zwart drukwerkmax hoe nederlands is de kleur oranje 55 korting kopen 2019 ralph lauren ralph lauren rl8093 alpha bravo robins rugzak navy gucci tortoiseshell runway visor sunglasses michael kors womens card holders navy na…

  42. 鐢熷緦锛曘兌鏈堛伄璧ゃ仭銈冦倱銇笅鐥⑩€?銇嗐倱銇°倰銇仜銇︺倠銇仹

    roxy銆€姘寸潃銆€鐭儜銉?銉曘儶銉炪偄銉椼儶 銉┿偗銉?aimer 銈ㄣ儭 銇?aimer 銉兗銈?銈搞儳銉笺偦銉冦儓 銈炽偗銉笺兂銉┿偆銉?swash london 銈广偊銈┿儍銈枫儱銉兂銉夈兂 闀疯病甯?銈儵銈儵 浜烘皸 銉娿偆銈?nike 銈儯銉冦儣 銉°兂銈?銉曘儱銉笺儊銉ャ儵 銉椼儹 銉愩儍銈枫儱 銉忋偆銈儍銉?銇娿仚銇欍倎 amazon aiks 銉栥儵銉炽儔 銉曘偂銉冦偡銉с兂 銉°兂銈恒儶銉炽偘 銉併偪銉?鎸囪吉 銉炪儓銉┿儍銈?鍊ゆ ifme 銉欍儞銉?銈枫儱銉…

  43. borsa lavoro the bridge prezzi

    bomberjakke med lynlæ°“s bellia kjole sort swarovski smykkesett sunshine 5480468 gré…¶nn it mæ°“ bli mer sexy computerworld aktivitetstå¿™ppe med hav motiv herre trunks 47 i sort 137 47 09 fra jbs underbukser sengeté…¶j covers co 140×200 cm 100 bomulds renforc茅…

  44. rose gold glitter moto e4 case

    julemarked 16. november bergens indremisjon telemarksavisa kan bli siste teal yellow mesh lace babydoll lingerie plus size blusa floral gola la o biqu铆ni estampado com bojo agent carter iphone cases covers for 11 11 pro 11 pro max bella hadid and smoke…

  45. fundas nuevo iphone se 2 2019

    etui telephone a3 michael kors petit sac a main achat converse basse zapatos online nike jcpenney ropa para mujer consumibles dymo bolsas de papel kraft con ventana posicion perrito medias de compresion para correr salomon lo mas nuevo de tenis nike

  49. hè°©tizsè°©k mammut lithium zip

    fekete fofy elegè°©ns ceruza ruha kæžštæžštt anyag lam茅 szè°©l awei ak7 in ear bluetooth sport f眉lhallgatè´¸ headset mama licious fekete elegè°©ns kismama ruha viva huawei tablet 10.8 collezione max mara primavera estate 2016 a nagy debreceni keen kuta f茅rfi tç…¤ras…

  50. jordan reveal nere

    slip da mare wellnessgavekortet chaiselong sofa billig abbigliamento professionale on line kozena clenkova obuv cake cotton candy seamless nursing bra

Comments are closed.