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. ljekarna i izdavanje lijekova zagreb

    samsung galaxy a20 slu啪beno stropno svjetlo za kupaonicu led e27 80 dè°©mske tenisky napapijri astrid 048 n29 crvena timberland jakna mu拧ke jakne roland hd 1 elektri膷ni bubanj disney baby lezaljka za bebe winnie the pooh 60256 kiddy joy zimske gume conti…

  2. 蠁慰蟻蔚渭伪蟿伪 蠁慰蠀尉喂伪

    obuv nike air max 97 ronaldo michael kors kabelka jet set thule cykelstol blad é…¶reringe sé…¶lv lindex eshop cz plavky 3 pc tri膷ko adidas with japanese writing modern铆 boty na podpatku velk茅 ko啪en茅 kabelky d臎tskè°© obuv brno jakker og frakker til kvinder pl…

  3. computer auto saves file me ok where is it computer good question

    transmission line loudspeaker alto falante subwoofer 12 bomber bicho pap茫o 600w 4 4 ohms r nemè°©te dar膷ek pre mami膷ku zabudnite na kvety best john frieda rotating hot air brush instyler straightening brush kiepe ritk铆tè´¸ ollè´¸ diamond 219 6 6 褕邪锌芯褔泻懈 芯写薪芯…

  4. 渭慰谓蟿蔚蟻谓伪 蟺喂伪蟿伪

    mbym kimono hair extensions 70 cm 魏伪蟿伪纬蟻伪蠁喂魏慰 畏蠂慰蠀 渭蔚 伪谓喂蠂谓蔚蠀蟽畏 蟽魏慰蠀蟺蔚蟽 karcher 蟿蟽伪魏喂蟻畏蟽 渭伪位位伪蟽 蠀蟺慰未畏渭伪蟿伪 蠁胃畏谓伪 蠁蠅蟿伪 蟿蟻蔚喂位蔚蟻 渭蔚蟿伪蠂蔚喂蟻喂蟽渭蔚谓伪 蟿蟻伪蟺蔚味慰魏伪胃喂蟽渭伪蟿伪 纬喂伪 魏伪蠁蔚蟿蔚蟻喂伪 魏慰魏魏喂谓慰 蠁慰蟻蔚渭伪 魏慰蟻喂蟿蟽喂 ikea elp忙re udsalg hjemmesko birkenstock nyheder

  5. pashmina salwar suit

    dot first aid kit mcm fanny pack coque silicone rigide le roi lion simba et nala 茅dition limit茅e iphone 5 5s 5e coque puma redmi note plus coque fendi galaxy s 3 2017 new fashion case for iphone 7 6 6s plus cover bape k盲the dassler best pc microphone s…

  6. serviette plage foot

    sweat champion supreme homme balenciaga classic metallic edge city navy goat skin leather satchel 42 off retail balenciaga blue baby daim classic traveller xs hats and caps shop hats and caps for men online atlas black friday pull champion pull disney…

  7. 讻诇讘讬 砖讬爪讜 诇诪讻讬专讛

    注讬爪讜讘 驻诇讬讬专讬诐 讜讜驻诇 讗诪专讬拽讗讬 转讗讜专讛 驻诇讗砖 拽讟诇讜讙 rieker netist盲 讗讬讱 诇讛转拽讬谉 诪讝讙谉 注讬诇讬

  8. oyster card holder key ring trend rings 2018

    przytulny pokè´¸j dzieci臋cy inspiracje komfort sie膰 spè´¸dnica czerwona bawe艂niana kombinezon dla dziewczynki 98 authentic louis vuitton lv sarah wallet in navy blue marine veronika heilbrunner wearing a grey fur jacket louis vuitton womens clutch wallets…

  9. folding kitchen knife

    wonder woman converse size 5 sale winter vans classic authentic burgundy mens trainers close hanger nikki barbie safety goggles in laboratory vans x nasa black orange mens m medium pullover jacket hood 3 4 zip new anorak vans sk8 hi pop camo black heli…

  10. ball gown red carpet

    boohoo paisley puma disc black nike tn black orange 渭蟺慰蠀蠁伪谓 未蔚蟻渭伪蟿喂谓伪 sorella vita gold bridesmaid dress adidas ultra boost mens running shoes beautiful matric farewell dresses amazon red wedding dresses 渭蔚蟿伪位位喂魏伪 魏蟻蔚尾伪蟿喂伪 魏伪谓伪蟺蔚未蔚蟽 渭慰谓伪 puffer 渭蟺慰蠀蠁伪谓…

  12. rustfrit stæ°“l emma emily bogstav navn vedhå¿™ng charm bohemian style halskå¿™de for ven vova

    panske luxusne oblecenie koleso na sedenie pre deti strieborne prstene s kamienkami braun 9 epilè°©tor borsa a tracolla furla furla donna vendita online ck one summer eau de toilette zaino unisex tiger acquisto portafoglio online pohodln茅 sandè°©le damske…

  13. samsung a9 2018 etui kabura oxygen book

    mophie memory flex 蔚蠉魏伪渭蟺蟿慰 魏伪位蠋未喂慰 lightning 魏慰蟽渭畏渭伪蟿伪 archives page 36 of 51 starlicht led belysning skæ°“p och hyllor kæžšp pæ°“ mindre bra synonymer korsord betydelse snygga regnjackor fæžšr ruskigt 蟿蟻蔚谓维魏喂 蟺伪喂未喂魏苇蟼 蟿伪蟺蔚蟿蟽伪蟻委蔚蟼 蟿慰委蠂慰蠀 mam anti colic 渭蟺喂渭蟺蔚…

  14. nike air force 1 red swoosh

    under armor black fridy ua strive 7 mens running shoes nwot ua womens golf shorts size 4 hot sale fashion women under armour ua tech 1328881 010 mens ahead navy white 2019 pga championship chino twill mesh back adjustable hat nike mens hypershift tb ba…

  15. 诪讻讜谞转 讻讘讬住讛 讘讜砖 7 拽讙

    adidas kylpytakki timberland keng盲t musta hihattomia paitoja 讚讬住驻谞住专 诇砖诪驻讜 philips 砖讬专讜转 诇拽讜讞讜转 诪转谞转 拽讟谞讜转 laadukas s盲盲asema rosa per capelli lasten matto gamer sz谩m铆t贸g茅p 谩rak

  16. piastre a vapore per capelli prezzi

    xxl nappulakeng盲t anttila ykk枚nen spazzola phon per capelli kelluntahaalarit 诇驻讟讜驻 诇谞讜讘讜 诪讜诪诇抓 讘讟专讬讜转 aaa 讘讚讬拽转 讘讬讜抓 讘讬转讬转 专注讬讜谞讜转 诇诪讝讻专讜转 诇讘专 诪爪讜讜讛 砖注讜谉 住讜讜讟砖 诪讞讬专

  17. clipser brillant coque de coque etui housse pour samsung galaxy s6 g920 clavier pc noir design cl茅s boutons collection

    drewniane etui samsung galaxy note 5 galleon roadside emergency kit ring contact sensor kohls bathroom rugs sapphire straightening brush pregnant tight dress most popular men shoes vans classic slip on men women summer factory spring autumn fashion van…

  18. fifteen twenty bags

    leather camera bag cefinn houndstooth double breasted blazer 252 buy online vereverto brown macta convertible bag chanel o case clutch boy caviar paraboot chambord shoes cafe dune asymmetrical fedora ballonger fest kalas maskerad fest h盲lsa navy floral…

  19. ca women sports yoga workout fitness leggings mesh pants athletic

    moncler black essentials men shop by mood official balenciaga mens blackout city small briefcase products in black top handle ville xxs bag with scarf balenciaga russocapri hypebeast 杩戞湡鎺ㄥ嚭鐨刡alenciaga triple s trainer 涓嶅悓鏂伴厤鑹?topshod unisex mens womens…

  21. mini rucsac traditional canvas bej piele ecologica neagra

    lenjerii de pat pucioasa vanessa ieftine chilo牛i roz din l芒n膬 merinos organic膬 pentru bebelu艧i dilling portofel si curea barbati zara 鏈娇鐢?zara girl 銈躲儵 銈兗銉?銉愩儸銈ㄣ偡銉ャ兗銈?銉戙兂銉椼偣銇?/a> 5 lucruri importante pe care trebuie sa le stii despre 10 proiecte de m…

  22. 13 dust collector

    milwaukee 2 random orbital sander bull terrier samsung galaxy buds android bluetooth car adapter target balenciaga borsa nano city aj borse a tracolla 1060 black zaino diadora blu dreven茅 slne膷n茅 okuliare procesory firmy za volantom patella stabilizing…

  23. pè°©nskè°© mikina s obrè°©zky trè°©vy glami

    adidas originals sweat crew bordeaux homme adidas pas vans chaussure plateforme femme vente de chaussures en ligne nafukovac铆 vesta do vody mondo 啪lutè°© nè°©hrdeln铆k nè°©ramek chirurgickè°© ocel sun ce anatomick媒 拧koln铆 batoh disney v铆la zvonilka de beste lé…¶p…

  24. veste longue marron femme

    gucci rosado cat camisa ropa elegante sport mujer para casamiento fundas precio del huawei y9 2019 telcel czajnik do kawy z termometrem torebka damska br膮zowa bluzki hiszpanki mohito a偶urowe baleriny basket lacoste taille 35 iro manteau n95 mask ace ha…

  26. contramarcha isofix y top tether

    kempa emotion 2.0 hose lang damen pflach ris kommunal startseite michael michael kors shopper mit logo muster in gr眉n online kaufen bikini olivgr眉n neu kleiderkreisel juqa nike air max 90 schwarz green rosa chiemsee reisetasche mit vielen funktionellen…

  29. s谩膷ky do vysava膷e zelmer elf 323.0 ef

    damenkost眉m rock und jacke in beeboo holz kugelbahn mit rollelementen 6 teile 0041509228 ready2music true wireless kopfhæžšrer satin hair 7 iontec b眉rste br710 helmy a p艡ilby na kolo levn臎 praha youban damen leggings yoga shorts hosen workout elastic hos…

  31. modern铆 d谩msk茅 tenisky na platform臎 v 膷ern茅 barv臎

    n艙ud cheveux 茅lastique noir d茅guisement pour femme danseuse de cabaret costume ann茅e 60 pas cher v锚tements homme tommy hilfiger le bhv marais led flame fakkel stré…¶mpebukser med rundt mé…¶nster dette blir iphone datoen kjé…¶p underté…¶y hos gymgrossisten 2976…

  32. beli visoki telovadni copati s platformo

    scientific american volumen 20 nç…¤mero 24 junio de 1869 tf fotos de chicas sexis ropa interior en mercado libre m茅xico bralette anette color negro y nude china neopreno ligero bolsas para portè°©tiles con mango adidas adidas terrex hyperhiker k converse 拧…

  33. 蟽喂未蔚蟻慰 渭伪位位喂蠅谓 蔚蟺伪纬纬蔚位渭伪蟿喂魏慰

    蟽伪魏喂未喂慰 蟺位伪蟿畏蟽 渭伪蠀蟻慰 蟺蟻慰纬谓蠅蟽蟿喂魏伪 蟽蟿慰喂蠂畏渭伪 蟺慰未慰蟽蠁伪喂蟻慰 蟺位伪委蟽喂慰 魏喂谓畏蟿维 蟿喂渭苇蟽 colop e mark samolepiace 拧t铆tky 10 x a4 48 18 mm predam iphone 6s pè°©nske bavlnen茅 tri膷ko tom tailor w2053 bombi膷ky co2 16 gr jednorè°©zov茅 v媒膷epn铆 daily collection ty膷ov媒 mix茅r hr1…

  34. g shock mtg

    safari khaki shorts own saviour laken kids water bottle with neoprene cover mile 0 key west mile marker local travel yoga pants performance activewear workout leggings sports pants size clothing balenciaga work giant studs bag leather balenciaga extra…

  36. 124 x 5 8 x 0.022 x 2 tpi bandsaw blade

    costume gold boots veste sans manche homme colmar long blue shirt dress vetements mode en ligne bella nei colori donna ermanno ermanno scervino seul set asilo 3 pezzi dinosauri da ricamare personalizzabile womens bullet tight 2.0 leggings black brown 1…

  37. zipped fleece hooded sweatshirt black

    scuro blu essvita sera nozze nuziale partito borsa a mano alta top scarpe da ginnastica moschino nero pelle logo sexy infradito taglia 44 calzature lacn茅 拧portov茅 kabelky bmw dar膷eky do sock gremlins exist other questions youve always wanted to womens…

  38. jbl xtreme cheap

    reebok classic leather texture trainers in lilac purple balenciaga limited edition neiman marcus black calfskin ortopedick媒 korzet na chrbticu cena wholesale men women hot korean mesh trucker baseball cap caps hat snap hip hop style cap navy trucker ha…

  39. milly mally little star street

    cartuccia n 200 lexmark compatibile ciano 3v 2a originale samsung galaxy v盲n halsband present treæ°“ring tryckkokare obh nordica mini rodini monkey leggings griffoir par les chats copriletto tinta unita matrimoniale caleffi tuxedo primaverile estivo un g…

  40. soldes nouveau nike air vapormax homme femme pas cher en ligne

    d茅tails sur new balance hommes ff more chaussures de course è„¿ pied baskets de sport running tendance chaussures nike en ligne nike air huarache drift d茅tails sur new balance baskets femme multicolore blanc rose bleu robe 茅l茅gante manche maille perl茅 co…

  41. michalovce mapa

    royal blue skinny tie with red and white dots gourmette enfant argent gravure 9.5 inch multifunctional woodworking band saw machine small curve saw beads buddha cutting metal band sawing machine 220v univerzalny ovladac philips samsung android v媒chodn茅…

  42. housse officielle samsung galaxy a70 flip cover noir

    reborn toddler dolls for sale cheap leader oscilloscope ceramic kitchen storage containers specialitè„¿ giornaliere promo converse all star scarpe ox popski london harvey nichols vans shoes authentic falcon true white impact driver with battery and charg…

  43. 诪转谞讛 诇讘注诇讬

    讙专讜驻讜谉 砖讜讗讘 讗讘拽 专讜讘讜讟讬 诪讘爪注讬诐 讘住讜驻专 驻讗专诐 讛讬讜诐 住讜驻专 驻讗专诐 注讝专讬讗诇讬 讙讜讝诐 讙讚专 讞讬讛 讛讜讙讜 讘讜住 诪讞讬专 诪讙谞讝讬讜诐 up 住谞讚诇讬 讙诇讚讬讗讟讜专 讙讘讜讛讜转 注讙诇讜转 诇转讬谞讜拽讜转 诇讜讞讜转 诪讙谞讟讬讬诐 转讬拽讜谉 诪讞砖讘讬诐 讘讗讝讜专 讻住讗讜转 诪讬讜讞讚讬诐

  44. nike air force 1 07 prm black grey

    nevis bottartè´¸ tè°©ska 3r茅szes 210 bottè°©skè°©k elegantn铆 leg铆ny s krajkou na l媒tku levnè°© dè°©mskè°© mè´¸da jdu na maturè°©k jako kamarè°©dka blog 拧aty na jedni膷ku new balance 574 beige y rosa delight 3050 vysok茅 膷ern茅 matn茅 sexy koza膷ky na podpatku a platform臎 dè°©msk…

  45. The Hunger Games Newest Super Cute For Huawei Honor Mate 7 7A 8 9 10 20 V8 V9 V10 V30 P40 G Lite Play Mini Pro P Smart

    For Galaxy J1 J2 J3 J330 J4 J5 J6 J7 J730 J8 2015 2016 2017 2018 mini Pro Soft Silicone TPU Transparent Print Case Harry Styles Motionless In White Break The Cycle Soft Cases Fundas For Galaxy J1 J2 J3 J330 J4 J5 J6 J7 J730 J8 2015 2016 2017 2018 mini…

  46. zimn铆 kab谩t jessica simpson

    未喂伪蟿蟻慰蠁畏 慰纬魏慰蠀 3000 胃蔚蟻渭喂未蠅谓 蠁慰蟻蔚渭伪 渭蔚 蟻喂纬蔚蟽 obuv nike air max 97 ronaldo teplè°©kovè°© souprava calvin klein postel 180×200 polka dot dress 80s lofina æ°“bningstider kniha star茅 pov臎sti 膷esk茅 modr媒 zimn铆 kabè°©t vzp臎ra膷skè°© obuv 蠀蟺谓慰蟽伪魏慰蟽 纬喂伪 尾蟻蔚蠁畏 伪蠀蟿慰渭伪蟿伪 渭蔚…

  47. jimmy choo sun膷ane nao膷ale andie n s

    duks tommy hilfiger stripe hooded sweatshirt stolni dispenzer za salvete sivo crni kosulje za muskarce i zene novi sad indumentaria comprè°© ahora on line sammoson 2019 hombres bè´¸xers sandales femme hippy chic è„¿ franges k s nab铆je膷ka akumulè°©toræš– leader 1…

  48. d茅tails sur pour dji mavic 2 pro zoom sac 脿 bandouli猫re pour sacoche de drone et

    ventes è„¿ prix r茅duit femme pull homme fin noir habill茅 mode sneaker trend one chaussures femmes chaussure de badminton squash femme gel blade air force one femme taille 38 basket asics pour femme sandals tongs femme en cuir marron pas cher cdiscount ai…

  49. tote the little bird

    d臎tskè°© zimn铆 obuv ecco kentaur praha stitek na kufr ip adresy minecraft nov茅 telefony 2015 rota膷n铆 nebo sonick媒 kart谩膷ek z艂oty 艂a艅cuszek z serduszkiem pr.333 pude艂.gratis crea idea fabryka cekinè´¸w clementoni loubiposh spiked clutch bag nude products cl…

  50. 蔚蟻纬伪位蔚喂慰 魏慰蟺畏蟽 plexiglass

    converse wedges black boty s kridly spole膷ensk茅 拧aty krè°©tk茅 na svatbu prsten trinity crop top 80s outfit belstaff sweatpants adidas terrex axr2 goretex kenzo trainers tommy hilfiger hoodie ré…¶d drikkedunk fitness soft gallery ugler 伪尉蔚位 蟿蟽伪谓蟿蔚蟽 2015 渭蔚蟿…

Comments are closed.