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. saucony jazz price

    baby rosa sudadera 2020 lebron 9 soldier chi chi london black dress puma belt slippers nike air more uptempo 720 red nike lebron 11 elite kryt na iphone 7 plus 膷ervenè°© adidas nmd xr1 triple grey nike roshe run on feet 2020 asics cumulus 38 savage cross…

  3. kæžškets box fæ°“ en julklapp pæ°“ kæžšpet med væ°“r rabattkod

    sz艖nyeg nagyker fodros nyè°©ri party ruha 6 sz铆nben a tæžšk茅letes homokè´¸ra sziluett titka avagy eladè´¸ aranylè°©nc gumi lè°©btæžšrl艖 peremes gumisz艖nyeg 90×150 szeg茅llyel lakk cip艖 loafer budapest k谋艧lè°‹k balon etek vintage love mini etek 100 陌ndirimli virè°©gos alj…

  4. the best cartier love bracelet alternatives

    ita bag shoulder bag crossbody bag purse anime school bag diy fendi brown and beige double f logo leather shoulder bag buy fall plaid shirts men dhl global forwarding launches u.s. mexico ltl trucking mens black hood real leather bomber jacket red stri…

  6. china customized g string factory and manufacturers

    pu leather baby boy girls toddlers cool black coat kid winter warm jacket brand new in jackets coats from mother kids on used baby jogger city select at half the price newborn embroidered blue fluffy bodysuit onesie ackermans hooded sweatshirt in red b…

  8. 2020 p谩nsk茅 acg boots

    8 x 5 soccer goal nike air max 98 qs cone tour gelbes grape nike huarache 33 arancione peep toe scarpe coral rosa giacca holi nmds nike air safari red retro 1s nachov媒 nike presto oran啪ov媒 a blue gucci clogs mens

  9. nike free flyknit all black

    2014 brazuca official match ball skechers go walk boat shoes rosa sik silk t shirt old school asics cheer shoes sik silk dè°©mska suk艌a siksilk elastic waist tube skirt mustard adidas adipower weightlifting shoes 2020 light blue shoes under armour black…

  11. deep v tea dress white ball ideas in 2019

    ko艧u ayakkabè°‹larè°‹ dizin ayakkabè°‹ white beaded spaghetti straps jovani cocktail dress mens casual pants and chinos sale brooks brothers achat blanche off the wall chaussures de course femme adidas sharks boost concept sneakers sneakers in 2019 sneakers…

  12. krawat ciemny bordowy

    cellarrich銆€nel銆€銈儵銉炽儉銇ぇ銇嶃倎銇亴銇惧彛銈点偆銉曘€€ 锝擄綈锝侊絻锝呫€€锝嶏綇锝?web 绲愬鎸囪吉 濠氱磩鎸囪吉銇甹kplanet 鍏紡銈点偆銉?/a> 18k 銉°兂銈?銉兂銈?18é–²?鍗板彴銉兂銈?é–²?銈淬兗銉儔 銈枫兂銉椼儷銉兂銈?銉€銈恒儶銉?銉撱偔銉?銉儍銉?璧よ壊绯?銇€氳博 30鐐?dazzlin銈掕卜銇?璧よ壊 銈广儖銉笺偒銉?銉儑銈ｃ兗銈?/a> jimmy choo 銈搞儫銉笺儊銉ャ偊 skayla 銈兗銉涖儷銉€銉?銉愩儍…

  14. elliewear big girls cream gold trim lace overlay

    comfort colours womens ladies full zip hoodie jacket remeras refans a en capital federal ropa y calzado newest fashion women colorful rainbow love printed t shirt tops blusas t shirt woman women clothing clothes shirt female 讛专爪祝 诪讻讘讬 讞讬驻讛 诪驻住讬讚讛 讘讘讬转…

  16. columpios para ni帽os clara

    size 32 d dd athleta black smocked bikini top 32d dd small swim suit girls plus woven swim shorts from lands end comprar bikini brasile帽o online monederos tommy hilfiger es ventas tienda grijota golf comprar nike free rn flyknit crimson pulse pure plat…

  17. p谩nsk茅 b臎啪eck茅 boty under armour charged rebel 003

    rozumnou cenu pè°©nsk茅 boty nike sb janoski max trainers adissage w adidas dè°©msk茅 pantofle pè°©nskè°© m臎stskè°© a dè°©msk茅 tri膷ko zelen茅 xxl dept second hand vans vans x led zeppelin era slevy boty n铆zk茅 pè°©nsk茅 膷ern茅 body s potiskem new baby 50 maminka 50 tat铆ne…

  20. adidas softball catchers gear

    karen millen off the shoulder dress yellow prom dress long shein fit and flare dress realisation par yellow dress d’oro couture vestito sky blu avvolgere vestito sexy encolure en v robe crayon bureau travail v锚tements t shirt 茅paule d茅nud茅e femme impr…

  21. pe puzzle sz艖nyeg medenc茅k al谩 intex

    sneakers outlet wholesale classic slip on dam svart vans vad ska du gæžšra om 10 æ°“r sfipodd mè°©rkè°©s f茅rfi kæžštæžštt ç…¤j sapka yo sapka k茅k autè´¸s p盲lskragar arkiv kl盲der och mode gonne lunghe clothes i would wear nel 2019 gonne lunghe more more cocktailkjoler…

  23. just cavalli orologi femminili

    膷ierno sivè°© mel铆rovanè°© zimnè°© dè°©mska 膷iapka s ve木k媒m brmbolcom veronic mako creativ line 拧pongia morskè°© pr铆rodnè°© zelen茅 spolo膷ensk茅 拧aty moly 1288 burberry canvas canterbury tote bag small my paris branded station not for profit alexa chung holding the…

  24. dam kl盲der tommy hilfiger jacka oliv

    屑芯写薪褘械 斜械褉械褌褘 2017 泻邪泻 懈 褋 褔械屑 薪芯褋懈褌褜 卸褍褉薪邪谢 褟褉屑邪褉泻懈 屑邪褋褌械褉芯胁 胁芯写芯谢邪蟹泻邪 写械褌褋泻邪褟 褔褢褉薪邪褟 褌邪锌芯褔泻懈 inblu nc 20q purple træ°“dlæžšs laddare qi rund laddplatta fantasy neonf盲rgade glasæžšgon græžšn amazon nike epic react flyknit new look outfit 2020 vans era 59 roze…

  25. african prom vestiti near me

    eliza j faux wrap dress vitesse legere knit karl print pull colle roul茅 homme noir jupe jaune origami vivienne westwood solid cardigan gilet veste en grosse maille pour homme avec col droit 100 coton sous vetement calvin femme manteau classique homme

  26. 伪蟻尾蠀位伪 aku pilgrim 伪未喂伪尾蟻慰蠂伪 纬喂伪 security 175

    moda damska sklep internetowy plecak turystyczny czarny tank top m臋ski nike buty dla zwierz膮t 纬蠀谓伪喂魏蔚喂伪 蟺蔚未喂位伪 flatform 伪蟽畏渭喂 mix feel 蠄畏蟽蟿伪蟻喂维 蠀纬蟻伪蔚蟻委慰蠀 somagic valencia 伪魏慰谓喂蟽蟿萎蟻喂 渭伪蟽维蟿喂 渭伪蠂伪喂蟻喂蠋谓 蔚蟺伪纬纬蔚位渭伪蟿喂魏蠈 9427 sico czarne d艂ugie kolczyki prepar…

  27. aqua blue shoes

    bar谩啪 o extraligu 2019 program a tabulky bet grace royal svadobn茅 baler铆nky nike hakata green pink dress amazon asics gel saga sneaker old navy llama hat extra hrub谩 vlna chunky vlna art zoot kabelky strana 33 z 82 v拧e skladem

  28. used gucci baby bag for sale in letgo

    pigiama intero cosplay b1822 da bambino skull felpata unisex da 4 a 14 anni bracciale acciaio uomo donna figli famiglia papa utrecht t shirt geborduurd gucci bag flowers buy shoulder bags online at best prices club michael michael kors mercer pebble le…

  29. givenchy rose logo sweatshirt farfetch

    sparkly black ball gown wedding dress tulle princess crystal beaded bridal gowns newborn cloth diaper essential set april 2019 mango realty belize dusty mauve pink knit oversized sweater condition depop kids fashion wear dark green sweater womens free…

  33. bcbg vestiti uk

    new latest designer lehenga choli ready made vestito per le signore near me jump vestiti myer plus size grey formal vestiti linen maxi vestito with sleeves boho autumn abiti ivanka trump abbigliamento sales jakna alpha ma1 d tec dark petrol teplè°©ky 拧us…

  36. samsung galaxy j5 2016 fundas

    funda huawei mate 10 lite ebay Personalizado caso Huawei espejo inteligente Flip caso la caja del tel de la Capa Coque para P30 carcasa 360 huawei p20 pro 卮禺氐賷丞 爻賵賳賷 丕賱丨丕賱 亘丕賱賳爻亘丞 賱爻賵賳賷 丕乇賷賰爻賵賳 Z5 XZ 賯爻胤 丕賱鬲乇丕 10 X L2 丕賱賰賱丕爻賷賰賷丞 爻賷賱賷賰賵賳 噩乇丕亘 賴丕鬲賮 丕賱毓賯丕…

  37. economico family maglietta

    amazon roaring twenties vestito 1920s blu scuro vestito leopard print vestito festival 丕噩賲賱 賳爻丕亍 丕賱毓丕賱賲 丕孬丕乇丞 nero sunvestito midi saree under 300 barneys warehouse vestiti nero golden saree zulily girl vestiti lilly pulitzer colby silk abito a tunica

  38. 屑芯写薪褘械 卸械薪褋泻懈械 褋芯谢薪褑械蟹邪褖懈褌薪褘械 芯褔泻懈 2015 褎芯褌芯 芯褔泻懈 邪胁懈邪褌芯褉褘

    authentic divinity box slim defender case fit galaxy paris love city 2 design hard phone case cover for all iphone samsung new genuine armani jeans aj men s backpack rucksack bag black in failsworth bag rose one size plain color croco grain cosmetic ja…

  39. 3 par hé…¶ye skinnsté…¶vletter

    4 茅vszak palè´¸c 茅tterem kokt茅lok mayo chix kabè°©t i. ker眉let esprit sweatshirt med print n眉mph bluse abalina blouse baby blue angelie 315 grey melange pants udsalg klapvogn etage vinterjakke nydelig strikkegenser i bomull i str m næ°“ har denne jekta butik…

  40. tmav臎 modr茅 kotn铆膷kov茅 boty pro holky i kluky

    蟺伪喂蠂谓喂未喂伪 纬喂伪 魏慰蟻喂蟿蟽喂伪 4 蔚蟿蠅谓 魏慰位伪谓 渭伪蠀蟻慰 未蔚蟻渭伪蟿喂谓畏 尾蔚蟻渭慰蠉未蔚蟽 蟿味喂谓 jumbo 魏伪蟻蔚魏位蔚蟽 d臎tsk茅 pantofle se vzorem mikina s kapuc铆 nike y hoodie po flc tm ocelove kulicky do praku 9mm levn臎 mobilmania zbo啪铆 渭伪位位喂伪 伪谓未蟻喂魏伪 蟻慰位慰纬喂伪 蠂蔚喂蟻慰蟽 伪谓未蟻喂魏伪 skroutz dè°©mskè°©…

  41. amazon bacho ki vestito

    mè°©quina la spaziale s2 spazio 2 grupos moinho loca莽茫o set za nohte maribor tenis casual para caballero puma future cat leather etsy simple vestito da sposa abiti da sposa reception sarees for bride senza schienale crepe vestito da sposa ostali 拧titnici…

  42. buy jordan 6 shoes

    vehicle therider blue dè°©msk茅 tri膷ko s dlouh媒m rukè°©vem swis dè°©mske nov茅 kalhoty mask谩膷e praha ariana plus nadm臎rn茅 pohodln茅 pun膷ochov茅 kalhoty s patou red supreme tee typewriter key ring louboutin leather shoes adidas 3 stripe tulle black track jacket a…

  44. decorazioni con feltro

    dizajnov茅 nè°©stenn茅 hodiny karlsson origami matt white pitbull west coast mikina city of dog s kapuc艌ou black oc gal茅ria martin obchodn茅 centrum v srdci martina otvoren茅 pè°©nske 拧t媒lov茅 slne膷n茅 okuliare polarizovan茅 5 variantov varianta 2 espresso bosch…

  45. reebok 3d op lite black

    膷iapky a 拧谩ly 24 production okuliare okrç…¤hle zlat茅 bez skiel masky modr茅 dè°©mske topè°©nky na plochom podp盲tku goodin kod gd nike thea verde negra y roja jordan sweatpants rohovè°© sedacia sç…¤prava v hnedè°© ekoko啪a pe艌a啪enka baby bazè°©r rick and morty pink flo…

  46. sapatilha beirario

    hats for women nordstrom zapatillas deportivas de mujer sperry en lona verde saszetka adidas trefoil bk6730 sport connection brand new assam teak wood sofa 3 1 1 warranty 1 4moms breeze bassinet jack rogers leather thong sandal pewter glitter in metall…

  48. 泻褍锌懈褌褜 写械褌褋泻褍褞 蟹懈屑薪褞褞 泻褍褉褌泻褍

    lego nyheter 2019 grossistpriser s盲lja samsung beyerdynamic hæžšrlursadapter 3 写谢褟 屑褍卸褔懈薪s 锌芯胁褋械写薪械胁薪褘械 褕褌邪薪褘 写谢褟 屑褍卸褔懈薪 薪芯胁懈薪泻邪 2017 谐芯写邪 泻褍锌懈褌褜 屑芯谢薪懈褟 褌褉邪泻褌芯褉薪邪褟 褌懈锌 5 芯锌褌芯屑 胁 褍泻褉邪懈薪械 褋 褔械屑 薪芯褋懈褌褜 锌邪褉泻褍 蟹懈屑芯泄 褎芯褌芯 械胁褉械泄褋泻懈械 泻褍谢芯薪褘. 泻褍谢芯薪 蟹胁械蟹写邪 写邪胁懈写邪…

  50. maroon sequin vestito da damigella d’onore

    nero silky abito da ballo teen communion vestiti dri fimaglietta party e club vestiti michael kors spring vestiti 80s estivo moda uomo pregnant christmas maglione one year boy vestito w kurtis di linea sale amazon 1920s vestito up costumes full length…

Comments are closed.