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. marzook vestes en jean

    prot猫ge iphone 45 choice manteaux superstar 80s city series mens green reebok running scarpe asics rosas running trench noir femme burberry chemise blanche homme manche courte deguisement mariage veste de ski femme chaude maillot de bain femme tendance…

  2. 90s bomber jacket

    janoski slip on on feet raiders ugly christmas sweater timberland glancy sale zelen茅 shirt 膷erven茅 pants st艡铆brn茅 拧ed茅 champion mikina 2020 human race sale foamposite cup 膷ern茅 2020 nike air max 1 07 air max goadome

  3. bianco scarpe da ginnastica da donna 2019

    nike tn air schwarz und wei脽e jordan 4 schwarz cat ivy park rosa maglione womens metcon dsx flyknit 2 nike air max 97 essential big und tall Rosa shirt nike more uptempo kids nike sacai schwarz best uomini felpas asics nimbus 16 da donna arancione flip…

  4. graham brown stenske dekorativne nalepke disney cars

    robe de soir茅e 茅dition limit茅e naf naf claquettes en cuir chaussure femme skechers drive shimmer blanc vi拧e o crna ma膷ka avaz micro bikini prodaja medieval princess cartoon vector free download next day delivery footwear j d williams jock pro sr suspen…

  5. tory burch navy blue vail slide on sandals size us 7 regular m

    scholl bimini pink 3db os lè°©nyka tè°©ska k茅szlet disney hercegn艖s tolltartè´¸ hosszç…¤ ujjç…¤ elegè°©ns feh茅r body 铆gy lehet æžšsszecsukni az æžšnfelè°©ll铆tè´¸ sè°©trat lacoste cip艖 chaymon 319 1 cma 193cma0021 2e6 office shoes magyarorszè°©g ker茅pè°©rkæžšlcsæžšnz茅s west cicè°©s fe…

  6. sac 脿 main sac 脿 bandouli猫re affaires laptop messenger bag pour homme en enveloppe forme

    sac longchamp pas cher blanc robe desigual ete 2016 par christian solde costume armani air max zero femme bleu et blanc achat nike air max zero air classic mojito plus size reception vestito for bride fp one sydney vestito ruffle vestito for per bambin…

  7. h盲stt盲cken horseware

    upc metal tech yo yo hulk marvel legends 12 inch onua role play grid fandom powered by wikia craft essential winter tights dam l盲nna sport fri frakt boots carinii klassiska boots dam online brun paradise womens printed cotton knee length dress toddler…

  10. stolar interijeri gæžšnderiler facebook

    銉曘偅銉冦儓銉嶃偣姘寸潃 銉儑銈ｃ兗銈?u155 浣撳瀷銈儛銉?鍗婅銆€銉曘儹銉炽儓銈搞儍銉戙兗銆€銈汇儜銉兗銉?澶с亶銇勩偟銈ゃ偤 銉炪優姘寸潃 銉兂銈般偣銉戙儍銉?銈广儩銉笺儎 au wowma 銉偊銉?/a> 銉熴儵銈枫儳銉笺兂 銈广儓銉兗銉忋儍銉?銉°兂銈?銉儨銉?mila schon 涓姌銈屻儚銉冦儓 銉氥兗銉戙兗 銉栥儸銉笺儔 銉優銉?au wowma 銉偊銉? bluzka damska 52 szczecin 銈儷銈笺兂銉併兂浠ｈ〃銈搞儯銉笺偢涓婁笅 鏈娇鐢…

  12. nadr谩g nw t茅li crystal 2 n艖i hossz煤 xxl fekete 10 xxl

    scarponi da montagna meindl stan smith tigrate pigiama unicorno bambina ebay menyasszonyi cip艖k royal szalonroyal szalon nike hè°©tizsè°©k k茅k kids brasilia ambell piros arany pæžšttyæžšs sapka sè°©l szett ambell arany baba 茅s gyermek f眉lbevalè´¸ 6mm feh茅r kæžšves n…

  13. oble膷enie pre novorodenca 鈻?body

    women cowhide genuine leather messenger shoulder bag ladies vintage old fashioned brush leather crossbody bag sling bag if you want any product the latest rains backpack mini waterproof bag trail weekender shoulder bag scarpe di pogba 2019 gioco con el…

  16. nike air max running trainers

    d97054 adidas pink cardigan old navy all blanca nike huarache para mujer 2020 air max swoosh ubiq yeezy 700 tall workout clothes camo hiking boots baby zapatos para caminar dorada studded boots supreme royal azul box logo

  17. gioseppo stiefel damen schuhe outlet m眉nchen

    baby schlafanzug gef眉ttert von jacadi paris damen lipari comfort fit sandalen petrol 38 wickelkleid schwarz wei脽 thor infinity war marvel legends marvel legends hellcat series hasbro peanuts retro tv comic serie herren t shirt snoopy woodstock rot grea…

  18. zelen茅 barely there heels

    macys zlat茅 拧aty asics queen street 2020 880v8 2020 asics boys obuv soccer ball launching machine crossfit workout shirts adidas samba 膷ern茅 og jordan 6 maroon air max 90s essential dunk from above 4s zoom sb uomini fur hood giacca sesame v2 yeezy wayn…

  19. italia donne

    cinturino maserati tamaris 39 es alkalmi cip艖 elad贸 fd evostripe move fz hd apa papa p贸l贸 budapestgraphics sz枚gletes lakk t谩ska olimpia bord贸 swarovski orecchini outlet pallone ufficiale basket serie a palline giochi

  20. 爻丕毓丞 乇爻賲賷丞 賱賱 乇噩丕賱 丕賳丕賱賵噩 亘毓賯丕乇亘 噩賱丿 0508

    爻賵賯 賯爻賲 丕賱孬賱丕噩丕 丕賱賰賴乇亘丕卅賷丞 亘丕亘 賵丕丨丿 丕賱氐賳丿賵賯 丕賱兀爻賵丿 賲賰亘乇 氐賵 毓丕賱賷 丕賱賯丿乇丞 丕賱賰 乇賵賳賷賰 亘丕亘賱 zapatilla new balance verde n bordada lateral gafas de sol de espejo catè°©logo de hombre y mujer en zalando precio de fè°©brica zapatos para correr nike hombre air max z…

  21. duffle bag brands

    vestido cl谩ssico preto e branco de bolinhas moda evangelica cal莽a jeans skinny destroyed colcci cintura m茅dia feminina azul herm猫s kai拧 archives wannabe magazine 賲亘丕乇丕丞 乇賷丕賱 賲丿乇賷丿 囟丿 兀 賱 賷賰賵 賲丿乇賷丿.. 賴賱 賷毓賲賯 爻賷賲賷賵賳賷 噩乇丕丨

  22. panenka 42cm miminko set s medv铆dkem r暖啪ov茅 拧ati膷ky

    蟺伪喂未喂魏伪 蟿蟻伪纬慰蠀未喂伪 伪纬纬位喂魏伪 魏伪慰蠀渭蟺慰喂魏蔚蟽 纬蠀谓伪喂魏蔚喂蔚蟽 渭蟺慰蟿蔚蟽 渭慰谓蟿蔚蟻谓伪 位伪未慰尉蠀未伪 kari茅ra spc solutions s.r.o sneakers blancas y rosas mustang 69920 dè°©msk茅 letn铆 tri膷ko leopard koucla dè°©mskè°© tri膷ka i moda st艡铆brn媒 p艡铆v臎拧ek srdce se zirkony 1 kulich adidas the…

  23. giubbini on line

    dè°©msky krè°©tky korzetov媒 top tigria triedna kniha pre 1. stupe艌 zè°©kladnej 拧koly biely mot媒lik s ka拧m铆rov媒m vzorom fisher price koloto膷 s projektorom koloto膷e nad postie木ku rossignol unisex outdoor snowboard bag black guess backpack purse womens bags wal…

  24. miglior casual shoes for men with jeans

    churidar frock suit 賲毓胤賮貙 賲賳胤賵貙 賲賵丿賷賱丕 賲毓丕胤賮 賱賱爻賷丿丕 è²™ 兀爻毓丕乇 賲毓丕胤賮 賱賱爻賷丿丕 lè°©vak艖 karkæžšt艖 aromaterè°©piè°©s botin tacon marron zara mini vestito with contrasting embroidery typical mexican attire saloni camille vestito harley quinn halloween bei vestiti for…

  25. scarpe asics uomo online

    tuta bambino mizuno nike flip flops amazon les meilleur couteau de cuisine basket soldes homme sweat è„¿ capuche helen morley foulard pierre cardin prix adidas ultra boost 3.0 nere con strisce bianche champion script hoodie mark nason shoes for women

  26. black widow kostume til piger avengers

    udeleg shop udendé…¶rs legeté…¶j kelkoo dame lé…¶betights bredt sortiment bukser tights til lé…¶b coccinelle borse autunno inverno 2016 2017 foto e prezzi fila arianna pelliccia giacca promozione fila cappotti initiale paris noreen noir donna sandali e scarpe…

  28. vera wang cocktail dresses shopstyle

    boys purple t shirt cotton festive stripes childrens sleepwear kermie worm and mr. marbles toys contemporary manufacture hw hot wheels 04 tag rides 2 bricklink set amsterdam 1 lego lego store grand opening american tourister ilite supreme 25 upright bl…

  29. velvet heart adrianna striped tie neck blouse

    optical shutter dimming helmet visor united we stand flag united states america polo tonal baseball hat cap adidas beanie maroon beanie. super soft and new adidas accessories hats outdoor cap mens kryptek typhon flag spartan hat 1 fog city vs. progrip…

  30. abbigliamento uomo off white jeans uomo off white blue jeans abbigliamento uomo

    beanie face s pansy 銉嬨儍銉?pink 甯藉瓙 銉儑銈ｃ兗銈?new england patriots new era logo whiz 3 cuffed pom knit hat navy dipper pines cap dipper pines hat falls 2 styles embroidered nike sneakers kvinder hermosas y elegantes botas bruno rossi 讙讘专讬诐 谞注诇 讛讘讜讛谉 住讙讜专讛…

  31. 薪邪褉邪褖懈胁邪薪懈械 薪芯谐褌械泄 锌芯写 谐械谢褜 谢邪泻 芯褋芯斜械薪薪芯褋褌懈 懈 褉邪蟹薪芯胁懈写薪芯褋褌懈

    volt voetbalschoenen puma ignite schoenen tiger of sweden iggy mens jeans indigo outlet46.de stæžšrre dam gummi hunter womens original chelsea black boots speedmaster moonwatch hyperx cloud ii gaming headset svartræžšd v盲lj r盲tt hæžšrlurar svart nike cape da…

  32. robe boheme chic longue blanche changezvotrevie

    gildan green boys hoodie is the amazon kindle is over priced why quora 3 pack cotton plus size plain t shirts xl 2xl 3xl 4xl 5xl multipack mens tee uk grand sierra boys 8 12 waterproof snowboard masa偶 niemowlaka jak masowa膰 niemowlaka tvn zdrowie z艂ote…

  34. heine bikini pink push up

    nike hypervenom 3 academy abiti da cerimonia bambina zalando veretta oro bianco e brillanti giochi creativi bambini 1 anno scarpe maculate uomo borse hogan sito ufficiale rivenditori sizzix bavaglino amore degli zii babbo natale con le mani

  35. szara czapka beanie sinsay 09m

    cappello di lana bambina chaussure mixte habit naissance bebe calze con pizzo disegnato per donna guanti palmati per nuoto in neoprene napapijri berretto con logo men acrylic os grey lacquisto maglia calcio fc barcellona mascherano prima

  37. 銈ㄣ儷銉°偣 銈ㄣ儢銉兂 缇庡搧 銈枫儳銉儉銉笺儛銉冦偘

    銈儵銉笺偗銈?鏈潻 銈偢銉ャ偄銉?銉兗銈广偄銉冦儣銈枫儱銉笺偤 銈儐銈ｃ偒銈广儸銉笺偣 銉°兂銈?/a> 銉娿偆銈?銈广偊銈с儍銉?銉戙兗銈兗 銉戙兂銉?涓婁笅銈汇儍銉?nike aop club 銈汇儍銉?銈儍銉?dark gray heather 杩峰僵 娴峰闄愬畾 姝ｈ鍝?銉°兂銈?姘寸潃 銉°兗銈兗 妤藉ぉ甯傚牬 air presto 銉栥儵銉炽儔銉娿偆銈?銈广儖銉笺偒銉?銉°兂銈洪澊 銉兗銉曘偂銉笺偝銉笺儑20é–¬?鏄ュ銈炽兗銉囥伀銉兗銉曘偂銉笺伄銉°兂銈恒仯銇姐仌…

  38. ram blank svart aluminium

    sydne style wears ysl kate medium black cross body bag with matte chain expert knowledge richard and sarah gale of outdoors in details zu sunflair badeanzug einteiler blau gr. 40 e 44 e 46 e 48 e 50 d np ab 79 still bh nahtlos mit gel b眉gel sein schæžšne…

  39. adidas tubular shadow knit indonesia

    all black nikes kids adidas sport performance boxer brief nike force 1 flyknit puresegway adidas vol 1 rawmakery v臎ci na kempov谩n铆 st艡ih videa zdarma vl谩膷kodr谩ha ma拧inka tom谩拧 cybex set p谩nsk茅 boty nike heureka tri膷ko adidas high collar

  41. fendi phone cases

    petite wei脽e jean jacket off the wall vans wei脽e red wide leg trousers lebron 16 all star 2019 rose zlat茅 block heel sandè°©ly uk air jordan xxxiii nike metcon 37 2020 af5666 adidas 2020 6pm soccer cleats 2020 asics gt donne 2020 champs nike Stiefel cash…

  42. autronic porcel谩nov谩 ruka na prst媒nky st艡edn铆 膷ern谩

    sudaderas mujer de vestir ralph lauren mujer ropa deportiva chaquetas y chalecos zapatillas fitness mujer skechers exkluzivn铆 拧ed茅 dè°©msk茅 ko啪en茅 tenisky adidas originals nazouvè°©ky crocs classic 10001 007 light grey vychè°©zkov茅 ko啪en茅 pouzdro jubæžš bushcr…

  43. j铆mmy cho艒 le meilleur prix dans amazon

    gwiazdki w pokoju dziecka marilyn strè´¸j k膮pielowy wampirzyca kostium divatos cipok nyilas horoszkop mai arena the one adulto azul blanco espejo d2d transparente 5 m banda funda para tablas de snow tactic rossignol deportes el corte air force 1 pl gedor…

  45. appareil mise sous vide

    stetson open road caribou 6x cowboy hat sconto marche popolari del cappello di snapback 2019 carlaverde bayan dolgu topuklu terlik rieker sort dame sté…¶vle online butik brett sons marineblæ°“ sté…¶vletter ankelsté…¶vler 讻住祝 讟讘注转 驻砖讜讟 住讙谞讜谉 讬专讞 砖诪砖 诪转讻讜讜谞谉 925…

  46. 蟺伪谓蟿蔚位蠈谓喂 魏慰位维谓 蟽蠁喂蠂蟿蠈 蠄伪蟻慰魏蠈魏伪位慰 渭蔚 渭蟺维蟽魏伪 l 6124

    伪谓未蟻喂魏维 sneakers 蟺伪蟻伪位位伪纬萎蟼 渭蔚 伪蔚蟻蠈蟽慰位伪 渭蟺慰蟻谓蟿蠋 7 蟿蟻蠈蟺慰喂 纬喂伪 谓伪 未喂伪魏慰蟽渭萎蟽蔚喂蟼 蟿慰 studio 未喂伪渭苇蟻喂蟽渭伪 蟽慰蠀 joytv aparat fotograficzny cyfrowy opinie pi偶ama z jednoro偶cem dla dzieci michigan 蠂蟻喂蟽蟿慰蠀纬蔚谓谓喂维蟿喂魏慰 未苇谓蟿蟻慰 210cm echo deco r臋czne narz臋dzia ogrodowe…

  47. 24 7 classic t shirt bra

    toraway baby infant kids girls woodlands princess dress shorts pants headband clothes set kurtis kurtas online buy ladies kurtis at best price in ums womens maroon blazer with emblem mens vintage polo ralph lauren green quarter zip sweatshirt medium 40…

  49. puma basket heart negra patent junior

    sulov adult i. 拧portov茅 okuliare 膷ierne autentick茅 obchod 膷e拧tina timberland dè°©msk茅 af 6 inch b铆l茅 dè°©msk茅 plè°©t臎n茅 tenisky s 拧edou 拧pi膷kou faguo ma膷ky veriga ice track blackpink vans nasa jackets air max 97 for girls 膷ierne dè°©mske tenisky converse chuck…

  50. tory burch blanca slides

    dè°©mske ko啪en茅 拧aty 950 black nike jordan paris saint germain fc psg tr茅ningovè°© mikina dè°©msk茅 tenisky nike b铆lo 膷erven茅 bazar detsk茅 topè°©nky na leto nike fc barcelona stadium gymsack zna膷kov茅 sportovn铆ho plavky s otvormi b茅啪ovè°© leopard铆 vzor 啪eny h m sk…

Comments are closed.