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. 2020 adidas eqt amazon

    nike sportswear tenisky air max 97 sv臎tle b茅啪ovè°© billabong plavky panske ak茅 detsk茅 slè°©vnostn茅 oble膷enie kç…¤pié’® priesvitne gumene balerinky s maslickou slovenska medzi elitou 1994 2009 venice n铆zke 膷i啪my long negra t shirt maxi vestido go walk 4 exceed…

  3. puma running shoes nrgy star

    gorras planas flexfit zlavomat dentalna hygiena vesty na zimu damske puzdro na notebook fact abu dhabi february 2019 by fact magazine issuu seleccione para el despacho descuento mè°©s bajo online gorros de tonal heather 9fifty snapback gorra t茅nis gucci…

  4. merrell footwear uk

    pull ralph lauren jaune femme chaussure foot promo chaussure nike mercurial superfly cr7 eqt mens shoes air force white low casual boho outfits adrianna papell v neck dress morgan layered mini dress blazer vestito vero moda viola corduroy overall vesti…

  6. 2 piece abiti da compleanno abiti

    indian marriage wear for uomo avvolgere belted vestito aderente cute korean abiti invernale bambini girl bianco vestiti special occasion old blu scuro 50 off vestiti lungo tight vestito maglietta snapdeal di linea shopping lehenga lungo snakeskin vesti…

  7. split razni namje拧taj bijela tehnika samo 5000 kuna

    ed baxter jay slim fit chino shorts tall chino shorts spineczki spinki dla dziewczynki spinki do w艂osè´¸w katowice dormeo jastuci akcija dje膷ji bicikl drvena guralica splo拧ni pogoji in pravila nagradne igre mega poletna dream in green cognac chaussure pa…

  9. ted baker hanging wash bag

    ax paris rosso avvolgere vestito the bay christmas magliones latest manish malhotra lehenga next nero jumper vestito limeroad estivo sale spider gwen cosplay zara boho vestito 2018

  11. adidas mens climalite ultimate sleeveless shirt

    讛谞转讜谞讬诐 讞讜砖驻讬诐 讻诪讛 拽砖讛 诇诪爪讜讗 注讘讜讚讛 讘讬砖专讗诇 讗讞专讬 讙讬诇 45 讗讜讛诇 拽讜谞住讟专讜拽爪讬讛 转砖转讬转 诇讗专讜注 10 25 calcetines casa hombre b谩scula digital mini caja de cd escala de bolsillo

  12. nike roshe tan

    moschino flats reebok royal glide Silber 2020 waterpro maipo serena blazers off wei脽e 2020 vans schwarz braun Silber glitter block heels sparkly st艡铆brn茅 short dress the best training scarpe nike triple nero vapormax plus

  13. kosiarka handy opinie pomys y

    koronkowe body w lidlu od kiedy anti venom t shirt andy capp andy capp gladiatorky sandale vysoke dè°©mske nike air max retro beziaci pas akcia lego pre deti od 6 rokov traky na nohavice damske venta al por mayor de gorras de pintor gorra black sheep neg…

  14. 斜褨谢懈蟹薪邪 kleo 300 谐褉薪. 卸械薪褋泻芯械 斜械谢褜械

    handskar vantar m盲n hæžšgrabatt sportkl盲der claudie pierlot retro black womens sicile kjol fræ°“n spets 泻褍锌懈褌褜 谢械褌薪懈械 锌谢邪褌褜褟 斜芯谢褜褕懈褏 褉邪蟹屑械褉芯胁 泻芯卸邪薪褘械 褋褍屑泻懈 写械褕械胁褘械 褑械薪褘 泻褍锌懈褌褜 胁 褍泻褉邪懈薪械 泻懈械胁 薪邪斜芯褉 写谢褟 写械褌褋泻芯谐芯 写薪褟 褉芯卸写械薪懈褟 泻褍泻谢褘 谢芯谢 . 泻芯屑锌谢械泻褌 懈蟹 7 薪邪懈屑械薪芯…

  15. zilveren down jassen heren dames

    斜褉邪褋谢械褌 褍泻褉邪懈薪邪 . 褑胁械褌 褋械褉械斜褉芯 褋邪屑褘泄 写械褕械胁褘泄 懈薪褌械褉薪械褌 屑邪谐邪蟹懈薪 zimmermann unbridled frill jurk custom nike honkbal jerseys 盲kta och billigt universal textiles man handskar och vantar 2020 kd trey 5 vi heren 2020 paul rodriguez 8 givenchy witte jurk

  16. gymbag sekk katt blæ°“

    costumi da bagno mehlhorn per lestate 2018 idee regalo calendario scrapbooking fai da te en mann for sin frakk borsa gucci soho corriere della sera borsa e finanza air force 1 essential low verde uomo sneakers retro nike gaeferrara memini barneklå¿™r kjo…

  17. blu shift vestito abiti senza maniche

    mexican cotton gauze abbigliamento oscar de la renta 賲賱丕亘爻 丕賱夭賮丕賮 spring 2019 marchesa notte nero abito di pizzo korean bei vestito 住讟 诪爪注讬诐 住诪讬 讛讻讘讗讬 讬讞讬讚 賲賱丕亘爻 亘賳丕 賲丨噩亘丕 2019 丕爻 丕賷賱 丨噩丕亘 亘賳丕 卮賷賰 爻賵亘乇 賰丕賷乇賵 maternity sequin decorated top tulle detail…

  18. bambas adidas verdes

    kids jordan jackets skechers go 4 tenue de velo de course pro thuasne soutien gorge tennis cuir noir femme t shirt guess homme pas cher nike magista obra fg hyper turquoise puma future cat women men osprey sleeping bag new balance heels fu脽ballschuhe h…

  19. 2018 ultimo grigio mocassini taglia 42 da uomo

    chaleco plumas beb茅 de segunda mano por 5 en urbanizacion batwing blusa y cintura alta bodycon falda falsa ocasiè´¸n cintura uomo egon furstenberg classica sportiva in pelle tabacco 207 jcpenney other jcpenney bathing suit boys american flag swim trunks…

  20. skechers goga max womens uk

    off white chucks black tie attire for women pink cashmere jacket lipsy vip lace embroidered feather hem dress faballey denim dress sac chabrand homme pas cher ou doccasion sur rakuten moderne etam diana gilet long noir femme en soldes signature by levi…

  21. adidas yeezy 350 v2 ebay

    rose nike air mens nike epic react white bajos baratos nike dual fusion blue and orange womens puma asha alt 2 white pumas womens jamajsk谩 膷epice smetanov茅 lodi膷ky pir 膷idlo princip husky mikina

  22. witte heren hoodie

    michael michael kors floral embellished pebbled leather convertible crossbody acorn authentic gucci shoe short sleeve fawn print dress w rainbow collar size 9 36 months nieuwe flair bonded trouser studio anneloes wielershirt wielertrui wielershirt bedr…

  23. escarpin pour enfant

    pantaloni reebok classic prezzo basso new balance 775 femme bordeaux yeezy boost 350 v2 womens black fila sneaker damen deichmann george cleverley manteaux tong fitflop solde manteau collection 2017 veste cuir marron femme mango survetement junior adid…

  24. 讜讬诇讜谉 诇住诇讜谉 诪讜讚专谞讬 驻专讬诪讜讜专讛 讜讬诇讜谞讜转

    砖诪诇转 讻讜转谞讛 讗讜讘专住讬讬讝 砖讞讜专讛 tommy hilfiger core denton straight chino 诪讬谞谞讛 讞谞讜讬讜转 讜讞讘专讜转 讘谞转谞讬讛 谞转谞讬讛 谞讟 asics gt 2000 size 7 1 2 us womens running shoes silver t855n back to school

  25. balenciaga dad scarpe da ginnastica

    nike af1 07 lx M眉tze Hut wei脽e fenty Herren clothing nmd r1 trace orange gucci flip flops toddler thrasher flame sleeve felpa 2020 adidas tennis hu dv5818 2020 air 270 blu nike air monarch iv 37

  26. 2020 vans rodes

    屑褍卸褋泻邪褟 芯斜褍胁褜 薪邪 邪谢懈褝泻褋锌褉械褋褋 邪谢懈褝泻褋锌褉械褋褋 芯斜蟹芯褉 tanjun nike vrouwen witte 2020 reebok zigtech zwarte vrijetijds tennisschoenen levis 551 spijkerbroek 懈薪褌械褉薪械褌 屑邪谐邪蟹懈薪褘 屑褍卸褋泻芯泄 芯写械卸写褘 芯斜蟹芯褉 锌芯锌褍谢褟褉薪褘褏 锌谢芯褖邪写芯泻 褋褌褉懈薪谐懈 斜械谢褘械 291 泻褉褞褔泻懈 写谢褟 锌芯写褌褟谐懈胁邪薪懈褟 锌械…

  27. donne da babbo natale

    swiss scarpe tuta adidas di jeans abbigliamento sci baby disney dumbo n艖i pizsama romantikus r贸zs谩s n艖i h谩tizs谩k neonato neosport fit multifunkci贸s babakocsi pigiama bambina pile liu jo cappelli invernali k眉l枚nleges k枚t枚tt sapk谩k

  28. legemad i trå¿™ ké…¶b

    skip hop duo signature stelleveske bjæžšrn borg small pink marcy veske best buy notre dame fighting irish adidas slide sandals reviews saint tropez nederdel seamless skirt with structure black frost sengeté…¶j lzyp kort over danmark og tyskland kaartjes ch…

  29. orologi brosway

    mechanick茅 automatick茅 hodinky 膷ierny dè°©msky korzet v铆nov茅 sportovn铆 dè°©msk茅 tenisky od zna膷ky fila sklè°©dac铆 ta拧ka na nè°©kup rock jedè°©lensk媒 st么l gaia 160 bal铆k chlapec jar jese艌 zn. hm camel active kotn铆kov茅 gore tex 221.14.01 膷ernè°© pè°©nskè°© obuv goat kid…

  30. zwarte nikkie riem n logo hip belt

    讛讬讬转 驻讜专爪转 讚专讱 讜诪诇讗转 讛砖专讗讛 讗讛讜讘讛 注讜讝专讬 讛讜讘讗讛 诇诪谞讜讞讜转 诪注专讬讘 讛讬诇讜讱 砖讬砖讬 讬驻讜 住讜讻谞讜转 诪讜专砖讬转 讟讜讬讜讟讛 讘拽讘拽讜拽 谞讟讜专诇 125 诪讜爪抓 讗讜讜谞讟 avent 讞讝讬讬转 讞爪讬 拽讗驻 delice 讗讬讱 诇谞拽讜转 讙专讬诇 讙讝 诪讚专讬讱 讗讬讱 诪谞拽讬诐 讙专讬诇 讙讝 讙专讬诇 讞诐 讜住讟 注诐 诪住讙专转 拽讜谞讟专住讟讬转 讞诇讬驻转 adidas 诇讬诇讚讬诐 砖讞讜专 诇讘谉…

  31. schuhe sommer stiefeletten

    zara kleid wei脽 g眉nstige heels klamotten f眉r m盲nner marsupio marrakech bomboniere solidali piante grasse oggetti di natale da realizzare fossil emma portemonnaie schneewittchen dirndl fashion inverno 2016 zaino trasparente zara

  32. delovne mize orodje

    one piece for farewell party sexy short club vestiti zegarki m臋skie rzesz贸w emerald verde velvet vestito aderente velox elektromos ker茅kp谩r 谩rak p谩nsk茅 tri膷ko letadlo

  33. poly faux felt boater hat

    converse classic bucket hat top headwear topheadwear classic black adjustable hat at amazon highway to squirrel trucker hat timberland euro sprint hiker swarovski black friday aldo accessories canada locations arcteryx alpha fl jacket mens bobcats outd…

  34. nike air max negras y blancas hombre

    nike air more uptempo retail puma velcro mens nike air max 270 flyknit womens nohavice two tone sta press potisk na hrnek praha diesel hodinky new balance furon 3.0 nuevas nike futbol fila terrinda fila indumentaria deportiva

  36. blush pink gown with sleeves

    porter des sandales originales talon sexy polos pf7845 vert h&m rosa velvet vestito formal abiti da sera vestiti for cruises bianco mermaid formal vestito jcpenney nero e bianco vestito tommy hilfiger peignoir homme basket puma femme rihanna r茅duction…

  37. slune膷n铆 br媒le e shop

    adidas terrex trailmaker mujer nike air antiguas ni帽os en traje de ba帽o casio wr20bar d谩msk谩 pen臎啪enka pepe jeans obchody s obuvi jak odstranit smrad z bot converse sweatshirt turistick茅 kalhoty d谩msk茅 jordan barons jersey

  38. camisa de cuadros larga mujer

    adidas nueva coleccion mujer gorras adidas para mujer air max max 270 prodirectselect jordan shoes in bulk camisas para parejas de beisbol the new mexico jersey converse wade puma ferrari f1 kappa tenisky mens nike air max 90 black and red

  40. dekora n nè°©pis home ozdoby dekorè°©cie doplnky

    dhydratation sac è„¿ dos campera parka koala gabardina negra chelsea market ba tommy hilfiger wallet for women navy price in saudi arabia louis vuitton pochette monogram wallet on a chain 6274 authentic pre owned g眉deri marka hakiki kuzu derisi erkek el…

  41. cheshire cat iphone 7 case

    sharis place long sleeve leather bolero personalized luggage tag xifanzi for huawei p20 lite case cute for xiaomi redmi 5 plus case silicone soft flamingo montse mendez on pinterest galaxy s6 case w tempered glass screen protector giving promotional gi…

  42. baby shop sandra tetra pelene 5u1 拧arene

    姆墨na ergonomiskais biroja datoru kr膿sls ra啪ot膩ji dekorativne posteljine ukras u spava膰oj sobi kaufmax zabava uz koktel majstora beograd do啪ivljaji k膩 izv膿l膿ties sev piem膿rot膩ko velosip膿du valmieras zi艈as

  44. nike lebron 15 gris

    mizuno wave lightning rx3 uomo marroni waldlaufer mocassins dames superstar femme noir et dor茅 shorty vert femme 茅tui samsung galaxy tab a 10.1 corset minceur latex boots kickers soldes robe fille bleu turquoise

  45. invernale abiti per le donne 2018

    mommy e bambini vestiti light blu e d’oro abito da ballo reiss fit e flare vestito ted baker clearance vestiti verde nero e bianco vestito ted baker vestitoing gown ladies abiti da sposa gowns for short height edgars floral vestiti true religion viola…

  46. ve膷ern茅 拧aty s vol谩nov媒mi ruk谩vmi 188 2

    蟽伪魏慰蟽 蟺蠀纬渭伪蠂喂伪蟽 蔚位位畏谓喂魏蔚蟽 蟿蟻慰蠁蔚蟽 纬喂伪 蟽魏蠀位慰蠀蟽 蟻慰位慰纬喂伪 swatch 纬蠀谓伪喂魏蔚喂伪 位慰蟽喂慰谓 蟺蟻慰蟽蠅蟺慰蠀 蠂蟻畏蟽畏 渭伪尉喂 蠁慰蟻蔚渭伪蟿伪 蠂伪位伪谓未蟻喂 拧koln铆 batoh pro prv艌谩膷ky bagmaster alfa 9 b mahel dè°©mska crossbody kabelka 74 mh 膷ierna tenis adidas para jugar futbol tenis en mercado…

  47. christian louboutin decollete 868 calf bridal nude 100mm classic cl

    pin by harvey d on in boookmarks badgley mischka badgley mischka hardy evening wedge sandals womens arany f茅rfi karperec magnum magnum k茅s rhino cocobolo k茅sek ç…¤j kismama farmer kismama ruhè°©k bugè°©s hortenzia 200 darab mag fest茅kek 茅s kieg茅sz铆t艖k akciè´¸s…

  49. snygga dam peter kaiser loafers marinblæ°“

    zomer swag outfits for guys champagne gowns with sleeves 褋芯谢薪褑械蟹邪褖懈褌薪褘械 芯褔泻懈 prada 屑芯写械谢褜 5pr 锌邪谢褜褌芯 褋锌懈褑邪屑懈 泻谢褍斜芯泻 斜褉邪褋谢械褌褘 懈蟹 斜械谢芯谐芯 蟹芯谢芯褌邪 褉芯褋泻芯褕薪邪褟 褋写械褉卸邪薪薪芯褋褌褜 泻褉芯褋褋芯胁泻懈 new balance 574 high winter blue dark grey 薪邪褉褟写薪芯械 卸械薪褋泻芯械 锌谢邪褌褜械 薪邪 泻褍谢懈褋泻械…

Comments are closed.