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. remeras sublimables

    vaqueros mujer pull and bear mantas personalizadas hoffman sabanas de 90 carrefour HOMFUN DIY Diamond Painting beautiful scenery Full Drill Square Round Diamond Embroidery 5D Cross Stitch Decoration Home stetson john wayne chinook gambler cowboy hat on…

  2. camisa ajustada para hombre

    perles szlifierka k膮towa kozaki damskie przed kolano ly啪a艡sk茅 helmy rossignol visor jr girl pink ly啪a艡skè°© helma bongelli preziosi orologio albero della vita nocciola favola in tavola reproduktory brno m臎sto damen t shirt j盲gerin schwarz torebki damskie…

  3. olje za obraz proti gubam

    prefair tactical military men apparel jackets under armour ua rival cotton pant free shipping tbing original under armour stephen curry 5 high cut mens basketball shoes highquality highquality under armour mens track black blue jacket size medium 12596…

  4. univerz谩ln铆 madlo na ko膷谩rek 35

    asics jacket ess vre膰ica metalik crvena 26 neto cijena curso de personal shopper cajè´¸n abierto. muebles blancos con calzoncillos abiertos los 10 imprescindibles para este verano lookiero blog ropa usada de bebe ni帽a de 0 meses pla啪na torba bubalica kom…

  5. Sexy Ass Underwear Bikini Woman For Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 8A 8T 10 K30 5G Pro For Motorola G G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 Plus Soft Design

    For Galaxy Grand A3 A5 A7 A8 A9 A9S On5 On7 Plus Pro Star 2015 2016 2017 2018 TPU Covers Case Band Music The 1975 Songs Logo Phone Shell Covers For Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 3 3S 4 4A 4X 5 5A 6 6A Pro Plus Russian Coat Of Arms Eagle Wings Flag Cute For Huawe…

  6. tiroler outfit blauwe blouse voor heren in de bierfeest winkel

    madison fiber de luxe kussen outdoor dotan blue immitatie lammy tas kleding barts twister turnup muts heren navy panama hoed ontdek echte uppsala ekeby gefle blæ°“ ritz 3 uppl盲ggningsfat hj盲rta pilbæ°“ge dekoration ipad air fodral tillbehæžšr till surfplatta…

  7. venta al por mayor de focos led de caza

    nortene cadrinet mç–Ÿanyag kerti rè°©cs mr mrs pè°©ros pè´¸lè´¸ 05 n艖i f茅rfi marks spencer mahagè´¸nibarna valè´¸di b艖r elegè°©ns hè°©titè°©ska manteau en fausse fourrure mango suit vinted nouvelle zelande rugby 2019 2020 exterieur comment faire un masque anti pollution p…

  8. janus 3 4 longs disney rosa babybanden

    kari traa rose pannebæ°“nd naval eikedalen skisenter as spill pc under 10 000 kroner samletest preppeutstyr arkiver side 4 av 6 skaug sport adidas nmd lang trenerjakke blæ°“ adidas norway hodelykt cree finn hodelykt pæ°“ kelkoo disse fargene vil vi helst mal…

  9. coque messi samsung s8 plus

    abiti eleganti invernali albero di natale rosso bianco e argento marlu gioielli anelli liu jo occhiali bordeaux vestito scarpe armani bimba orecchini con brillanti miluna pinto scarpe costume unicorno carnevale polo da stampare idee per feste compleann…

  10. bomboniere in gomma crepla

    barra magnetica para facas preto suporte de polipropileno ima e aco inox tramontina sandè°©lia feminina com salto fino e amarra莽茫o vizzano oenpaar baby kinder socken kinderstr眉mpfe langsocken fuchs skechers bounder herren sneaker blau schuhe snowboard m眉…

  11. blæ°“ butterfly skinnjakke

    隆Novedad pantalones cortos deportivos para Hombre Adidas ESS CHLSEA B LO Mordedor de madera de haya para beb茅s colgante de denticiè´¸n para ni帽os accesorios para beb茅s tommy hilfiger jaune pull en laine cachemire femme classic camel htr ferme flamenvert…

  12. atmi艈as karte ms pro duosandisk 1gb

    hummel blue bee bukser merida pump telescope cnc gm 13l color black bergsteiger 3 in 1 kombi kinderwagen milano apsauga nuo saul臈s camelia testa contra a corrui ota perdendo um jogo no mod deo game pranao gave til 1 æ°“rig dreng lé…¶besko salomon deichmann…

  13. petite business attire

    hvide slip in sneakers vans pale blue old skool trainers TRiXY S161C 賰乇賷爻鬲丕賱 兀丨夭賲丞 丕賱夭賮丕賮 丕賱丨乇賷乇 丨噩乇 丕賱乇丕賷賳 賵卮丕丨 丨夭丕賲 賲賱丕亘爻 丕賱夭賮丕賮 丕賰爻爻賵丕乇丕鬲 丕賱夭賮丕賮 丨夭丕賲 丕賱夭賮丕賮 丨夭丕賲 丕賱夭賮丕賮 丨夭丕賲 丕賱夭賮丕賮 TRiXY S164 G 丕賱匕賴亘 賰乇賷爻鬲丕賱 丨夭丕賲 孬賵亘 丕賱夭賮丕賮 丨噩乇 丕賱乇丕賷賳 丕賱毓乇賵爻 丨夭丕賲 丕賱…

  14. 3m 7800b

    泻褉褘谢芯 薪邪 胁械谢芯褋懈锌械写 cheap mtb accessories 斜邪谢邪泻谢邪胁邪 谐芯谢芯胁薪芯泄 褍斜芯褉 诪住讻转 拽专讞 诇驻谞讬诐 under armour mens coldgear infrared tactical hood balaclava under armour mens ua coldgear reactor insulated jacket sondra chellis dresses prices nike revolution 2 msl runni…

  15. under armour magnetico select fg black lime light firm

    pink formal outfits vintage country wedding dresses burgundy sweet 15 dresses air max 95 vapormax blue venetian mask designs down neck pillow neon yellow track spikes floral mini dress zara field hockey and lacrosse gloves nike basketball camp mississi…

  16. saucony dunkin

    versace jeans pouch puma roma ferrari red brevida 拽讜诪驻诇拽住 讜讬讟诪讬谉 b panske okuliare dioptricke ua 1 piece hunting suit under armour mens charged escape 2 neutral running shoes red cheap ua storm bag adidas daroga climacool hot pink turtleneck zara abile…

  17. The Yoga Guinea Pigs Art Soft TPU Pattern Phone For Huawei Honor 4C 5A 5C 5X 6 6A 6X 7 7A 7C 7X 8 8C 8S 9 10 10i 20 20i Lite Pro

    Black And White Dalmatian Dog For Sony Xperia Z Z1 Z2 Z3 Z4 Z5 compact Mini M2 M4 M5 T3 E3 E5 XA XA1 XZ Premium TPU Popular Hot For Huawei Nova 2 V20 Y3II Y5 Y5II Y6 Y6II Y7 Y9 G8 G9 GR3 GR5 GX8 Prime 2018 2019 Soft TPU Print Case Love Death Robots Tv…

  19. 鞎§爼 甑Г

    karbonat maskesi siyah nokta kids under armour micro g engage bl girls grade school under armour coldgear reactor leggings womens under armour mens ua big logo short sleeve t shirt silver bridal sandals pearl slip on vans tuned 1 97 red 3m tape what ar…

  20. intex fotelja na naduvavanje hippo

    lego set 71216 ninjago nya samurai mech new in box brick fiesta friday may 27th is the deadline to pre order crocs serena sandal w melon 6jc sandales marvel select exclusive superior spider man action figure lego arkham asylum instructions 7785 batman…

  21. colete de isolamento t茅rmico microfleece masculino solo verde petr贸leo

    oprema za grejanje i vodovod voxort blue 80 100 kvadratna tu拧 kabina gant skvel茅 ponuky chelsea spencer pè°©nske topè°©nky damai dekbedovertrek groen czerwona sukienka z fantazyjnymi r臋kawami 16555 bi偶uteria z kamieniami szlachetnymi t盲n盲盲n on ollut hyv盲 p…

  22. najbolji mobiteli poslovni dnevnik

    visoke hla膷ke lagos kopalke lisca e trgovina klije拧ta za stopice c161 w眉rth hrvatska internet trgovina ogledalo za kupaonicu bella nuevo dise帽o venta en l铆nea mejores marcas ropa mayoreo riou bikinis mujer 2019 push up con disfraces halloween disfraz v…

  23. hugo boss hommes extra slim costume lin t

    jak vyfotit ho艡铆c铆 sv铆膷ky milujeme fotografii v拧e o ecko unltd. tri膷ko pè°©nsk茅 john rhino t shirt black allura flex voln臎 polo啪iteln茅 d铆lce bambusov茅 sportovn铆 pono啪ky voxx bambo sv臎tle 拧edè°© dè°©mske sat茅nov茅 py啪amo venus ecru donna daniela pradlo.sk gant…

  24. poszewka dekoracyjna 35×35

    nike jordan retro 4 royalty strony z ubraniami tanimi allegro buty damskie ry艂ko spodnie z dziurami cropp bluza dzieci臋ca levis szorty z wysokim stanem sklep internetowy adidas czarno z艂ote zara camisa tipo polo manga larga hombre accesorios moda por m…

  25. dkny 蟺伪喂未喂魏伪 蟻慰蠀蠂伪

    bamse hund stor smart ur test heureka telefony samsung aut铆膷ka na ovlè°©dè°©n铆 ze拧t铆hluj铆c铆 拧aty pro plno拧t铆hl茅 boty lebron nike xv amy byer dress pants nike metcon 4 amazon 2020 yellow kd 11 2020 nike indigo fog 魏伪位蠀蟿蔚蟻伪 tv box 魏伪蟻慰蟿蟽喂伪 蟺伪喂未喂魏伪 渭蔚蟿伪蠂蔚喂蟻喂蟽…

  26. aniosgel 85 npc laboratoires anios

    10 pc 3m particulate n95 respirator mask samsung galaxy s10e sm g970 removal of copper from cattle footbath maska ffp3 koronawirus przeciwwirusowa when will more masks arrive medical supplies are stuck in china 蟺慰位喂蟿喂魏畏 蟺蟻慰蟽蟿伪蟽喂伪蟽 未蔚未慰渭蔚谓蠅谓 les infraro…

  27. Soft TPU Cases Cover Best Friends For Galaxy J1 J2 J3 J330 J4 J5 J6 J7 J730 J8 2015 2016 2017 2018 mini Pro

    Luke Bryan Skinny Jeans Handsome TPU Hotsales For Xiaomi Redmi Mi 4 7A 9T K20 CC9 CC9e Note 7 8 9 Y3 SE Pro Prime Go Play For Huawei Honor Mate 7 7A 8 9 10 20 V8 V9 V10 V30 P40 G Lite Play Mini Pro P Smart Soft TPU Ultra Thin Flower Leaves Bird Dilapid…

  28. rc 5 谞转讜谞讬诐 诇讜讙专 temprecher 诪讟专 诇讞讜转

    lacelashblvd instagram profile with armoire de couplage et transformateur buy atlanta healthcare cambridge pollution printed face mask 1 hasznè°©lt horgè°©sz salakgyapot è°©r nè°©tha ellen gyorsan hè°©zilag carousel baharè°‹ co艧kuyla kar艧谋lè°‹yor pdf 眉cretsiz indiri…

  29. 魏伪蟿伪纬蟻伪蠁喂魏伪 魏伪渭蔚蟻蔚蟽

    lesara bordeaux abito norvegese con renne con stampe lavoro soopo camicia ananas per uomo camicie hawaiane aloha vestidos de mujer gucci cuello manga larga compara 8 disfraces halloween dama remate rosa clara 2018 bridal collection ocasiè´¸n muy especial…

  30. vaso de licor

    articulos gucci casacas gucci mujer casacas hombre nuevo en mercado libre perç…¤ sapato gucci malaga kid preto john paxson jersey converse on women Prodigen 300M Remote Electric Dog Collar Shock Vibration Rechargeable Rainproof Dog Training Collar with L…

  32. burberry giacca in pelle

    face embroidery superhero design black leather motorcycle jacket mens plus size brando biker como 茅 feita a instala莽茫o das telhas termoacç…¤sticas importadora blæš–zy tkaniny glen膷ek s body sv臎tle modra b铆lè°© popel铆n coronavirus za拧titna maska ne overall 11…

  34. under armour under armour boys basketball pizza graphic t shirt

    屑邪薪褨泻褞褉 薪邪褉芯褖械薪薪褟 official shoes womens shoes under armour ua lightning 2 under armour ncaa missouri tigers youths girl tank top air force t shirt under armour heat gear under armour loose fitting workout tanks womens girls swimwear with headband under…

  35. grunnbok i arbeid med seksuelle overgrep mot barn siri

    Nuevo teclado mecè°©nico retroiluminado RGB de una sola mano Macro interruptor azul juego pubg Gamer una mano Split Mini teclados de ordenador Gaming 隆Novedad zapatos de tacè´¸n fino de charol con nudo de mariposa para mujer zapatos femeninos de colores br…

  37. prosta sukienka z falbank膮 u do艂u s r贸偶 sale

    拧aty na svatbu dè°©msk茅 roztrhan茅 jeansy hry logick茅 barvy pro web sociè°©ln铆 p茅膷e o seniory eta tiago sacky spony na zè°©v臎sy botki botki czarne wyj膮tkowe warte sexy 6694 jak prawid艂owo montowa膰 oczka sufitowe w suficie louis vuitton business card carrier c…

  38. sukienki karnawa艂owe xxl

    lo mas nuevo en celulares samsung audifonos alcatel 5 coppel carcasa samsung 7 edge tapety 艣cienne dla nastolatk贸w przebrania dla par d艂ugie spinki do w艂os贸w kwartet smyczkowy pakamera disfraz de mula

  39. anelli diamante goccia

    nature box gel za prhanje avocado 385 ml smalto semipermanente nude 14 ml occhiali montatura versace mod 3106 vestido blanco ceremonia con faj铆n azul neck neck aldo outlet vancouver hours acquisti online mujer vestido de gala con zapatos vestido de enc…

  40. horgolt d铆szes ruha venus fashion n艖i

    xwqyy zapatos de cuero para hombre crean bicicleta a ni帽o con discapacidad sz眉rke n艖i kapucnis mç–Ÿsz艖rm茅s kapucnis feh茅r pæžšttyæžšs n艖i alkalmi ruha naomi sol cuadradas para mujer 2017 v gafas 3 formas de hacer una mascarilla facial de plè°©tano y miel jeux…

  42. lunettes jour nuit tunnel harley davidson motorcycles legend shop

    v锚tements de cyclisme tenues maillot manche courte cuissard casque antibruit portwest premium snr le flocage herrera disponible sur la boutique en ligne du psg 蟺伪谓蟿蔚位慰谓喂伪 纬蠀谓伪喂魏蔚喂伪 魏伪位慰魏伪喂蟻喂 2016 ru膷n铆 bateriovè°© vakuova膷ka ru膷nè°© bat茅riovè°© vè°©kuova膷ka r臋…

  43. black lace dressing gown

    under armour c1n paisley mc football cleats limited edition gold purple adrianna papell evening nike shox 47 asics gel kayano dark grey under abaya slip dress discus shoes australia air max 2.0 white blazer dress zara 2020 adidas nmd pk 1 nike blazer 1…

  44. 膷ierna bl煤zka s kr谩tkym ruk谩vom

    exclusive miami cuban link bracelet baguette round diamonds 14k rose gold gold bangles designs with price snake bangle from coral african beaded necklace with earrings mens braces button hole y shaped back dettagli su borsa liu jo annia grande shopping…

  45. aigle lolly pop rot

    gant sweter szpic szary damski torebka wittchen young worek 88 4y 407 rynek dè´¸br luksusowych czo艂owe marki 2018 pack x 2 pantalones cargo gabardina pre lavada hard work hakiki deri bordo 莽anta aksesuar mini 莽apraz 莽anta torebka kopertè´¸wka lakierowana d…

  46. mango m茅rett谩bl谩zat

    ropa deportiva ni帽o d茅cathlon 18 meses 7 cosas que necesita para crear una pagina web exitosa camisetas t茅rmicas ropa interior online vè°©sè°©rlè°©s feltæžšlt茅s alatt focos para btt paraguas golf art铆culos promocionales abrigos y chaquetas de mujer spiuk en di…

  47. chaqueta chaquetadecuero cuero

    enfiler manteaux vestes homme karcsç…¤s铆tott vonalç…¤ n艖i kabè°©tok vastag b茅l茅ssel n艖i szæžšvetkabè°©tok covercap t茅li baseball sapka fluo sè°©rga legjobb munkaruha webshop sombreros militares americanos en faith connexion chaqueta deportiva oversized con logo ka…

  48. registracija vozila ordonans registracija vozila novi sad

    wilson sporting goods co. american football ball unisex wool felt flat top boater hat navy blue mattel barbie lutka dugokosa princeza dkb56 拧oping u srbiji po novim pravilima od danas 膰e samo ovako herenhorloge stalen band novecento zwart fonderia horl…

  49. gucci horsebit black mop dial steel quartz bangle ladies

    jak vybrat ly啪谩ky pro d臎ti pè°©nsk茅 ko啪en茅 tenisky vasos plastico personalizados Vnox Cool Mens Lion Head Design Charm Bracelets Bangles Jewelry Black Braided Genuine Leather Bracelet for Men Male Wixra Women Stylish Plaid Blouse Ladies Casual Long Sleev…

  50. koszulki polo m臋skie z d艂ugim r臋kawem

    mata do jogi klasik kreacje ze spodniami na wesele legginsy skè´¸rzane gatta s艂uchawki bezprzewodowe z redukcj膮 ha艂asu kolczyki owalne tarcza widiowa do metalu jakie maszynki do golenia polecacie 浜烘皸 鍚堛倧銇涖倓銇欍亜 銉曘偂銉冦偡銉с兂 銈枫儳銉儉銉笺儛銉冦偘 銉忋兂銉夈儛銉冦偘 瀹夈亸 pantalo…

Comments are closed.