SPECTRUM: THE RUNDOWN
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ย ย ย ย ย ๐๐๐พ๐๐ฑ๐ป๐ด ๐ธ๐ฝ ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ธ๐๐ด: ๐ฐ๐๐ด ๐๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐๐๐ด๐ผ๐ ๐พ๐ ๐ด๐?
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ๐ธ๐ ๐๐ด๐ ๐ด๐ฝ๐ถ๐ด ๐ท๐ฐ๐ธ๐ ๐๐ท๐ด ๐ฝ๐ด๐ ๐๐ด๐ ๐ด๐ฝ๐ถ๐ด ๐ณ๐๐ด๐๐? ๐๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐๐๐๐ผ ๐ณ๐ด๐ฑ๐๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ด๐ ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ ๐ป๐พ๐พ๐บ
record scratch, freeze frameโ
bet youโre wondering how indie darling, ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ธ๐๐ฏ๐ ๐ฐ๐, ended up in this situation? letโs rewindโฆโฑ โโโโโโ {.โ โซ โ .} โโโโโ โฐ
this is just a lil catch-up post, like all the Nat tea in one place! I'll be adding to it over time with synopses of each of the chapters. huge shoutout to @ayzrules for helping me code this post
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐: all the light green text includes links!!! so in the stories section, all the links will lead to the chapter on booksie or blog posts that has the full text. basically wherever the full text is hahaalso important; ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ are listed below, so please keep that in mind before continuing!
depression and mental health issues, self-harm, drug and alcohol use, and death mentionsComments (2) -
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โช ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐; Natalya Denisova Pendergast had an average, upper-middle class, Los Angeles childhood. Her father was a gallery manager at the Getty and her mother was an independent photo editor. Though she was bright, Nat struggled with her attention and was prone to depression. She began therapy at a young age and continues to be a mental health advocate to this day. One thing that always brought her joy was ballet. She was placed in lessons at a young age and was pre-professional by eighth grade. Her whole childhood was dedicated towards her future career in dance. Unfortunately, the universe had other plans.
โช ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐; With puberty came skeletal problems that were only exacerbated by dance. Nat was forced to drop out at sixteen, thus ending her budding dance career. Coupled with chronic pain, Nat found herself in a dark place. For a while, she relied heavily on painkillers, only to permanently swear off them after the loss of a close friend. The thing that finally helped her move forwards was rediscovering her love of music - only this time through songwriting.
โช ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐; Despite their own artsy careers, Natโs parents her pursuing music. She did it anyway. Nat really blossomed in college. She dyed her hair for the first time. She met ๐ ๐๐๐พ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, with whom she would share her first serious relationship. She also started her YouTube channel, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐_๐ผ๐๐๐๐, a.k.a. the thing that would launch her future career.๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
โช ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐; All her life, Nat has been able to see sound. Her auditory synesthesia creates splatter painting-like images behind her eyelids in response to music. When songwriting, Nat uses it to create complex soundscapes filled with lush instrumentation and layered vocals. This is also where Nat got her stage name - her music making goal is to account for every color of the rainbow; ergo, the full spectrum. "Tones", the nickname Spectrum fans have given themselves, is also a music/color pun.
โช ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐; Natโs YouTube channel started as a place for her to post class assignments. However, Nat was also experimenting with song and dance covers (something sheโs known for). These became the eventual focus of her channel. Her first taste of fame happened when one of her videos - a dance cover of Evanescenceโs Going Under, in which she sang live - went viral. Nat went on to acquire a moderate level of YouTube fame, eventually catching the eye of a talent agent at Warner Music Group. Just weeks before her college graduation, Nat was approached with a contract, signing a multi-album contract as ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ธ๐๐๐๐.
โช ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐; There are a couple things Spectrum is known for. First is dancing. Her concerts combine choreography and singing, much like her YouTube channel once did. Another thing sheโs known for is her hair, which she typically keeps a blue/teal ombre (aside from that one time she went purple in 2017, only to go right back to blue). Sheโs similarly known for her fashion sense, which is distinctly dark and โwitchyโ. Speaking of witchy, Nat has cultivated a strong stage persona as Spectrum, which changes to match the concept of each specific album. This was done to help her keep her public and private lives separate, as well as lend a little something extra to her stage performances. Earlier in her career, she only did interviews and appearances in character, though sheโs beginning to relax that a little as time goes on.
โช ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐; When WMG first signed Nat, they werenโt anticipating her to be a hitmaker. They expected an indie darling like Mitski or Daughter. What they got was the next Lorde. While Natโs first album (finished within months of her graduation) was critically acclaimed, she didnโt receive much airtime until she released a song for The Shape of Water soundtrack. What the Water Gave Me became Natโs first #1 hit and was even nominated for an Oscar. However, after winning Best New Artist at the 2018 Grammy Awards, Spectrum pretty much disappeared from the mainstream. Her second album, released in early 2019, was met with mediocre response and basically no radio play. Combined with four years on the road, Nat is feeling more burnt out than ever.๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐
โช ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐; Natโs first album, ๐๐ ๐ช๐ธ๐๐ถ๐ ๐๐ป ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐, came out in late 2016. The concept combined elements of both classical mermaid legends and Eldritch mythos to create an โotherworldly sirenโ persona. The album received widespread critical acclaim and led to a host of nominations.
โช ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐; Sophomore slump in album form. It was mostly written and recorded while Nat was on her first world tour. ๐๐พ๐ธ๐๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐ was released in early 2019 toโฆwell, the reviews werenโt necessarily bad. Critics were more bored than anything. This album saw Spectrum as a morally grey supernatural entity that preyed upon the hearts of the wicked. Big โstep on meโ thirst tweet energy. (Sheโs still technically in this phase at the start of the story.)
โช ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐; devilpepe.jpg~ -
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZSETSZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ SYNOPSES โ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ #๐; Nat's most recent, pre-story posts a.k.a. Eight Haunting Photos Taken Moments Before Disaster โ โ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐; After coming home to L.A. for pretty much the first time since 2016, Nat buys her first apartment. Sheโs worn out from touring for nearly four years straight, but she has something to look forward to; her girlfriend, Remy, is visiting soon and Nat plans on asking her to move in. However, Remy blindsides her with a breakup, citing their diverging paths and the lack of attention Nat paid to their relationship when she was on the road. Experiencing true heartbreak for the first time in her life, Nat retreats into her not-yet-unpacked apartment. โ โ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐; In her self-imposed isolation, Nat knows sheโs headed towards some dangerous territory, given her history of depression. But does she do anything about it? Well, not unless staying in bed all day and burying her emotions counts. She can hardly bring herself to clean, much less finish unpacking. The only people she really sees are delivery drivers. That is, until she gets a text from one of Remyโs friends, Amani Joseph. The Victoriaโs Secret Angel comes over to deliver all the things Nat left behind with Remy. During the course of their smalltalk, Nat accidentally learns of Remyโs recent move to NYC. All of the emotions Nat tried to bury find their way to the surface and Natโs right back at square one. โ โ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐; Things are getting worse and worse. Even music and dance no longer bring her joy. She hasnโt written a new song in months and her next appearance (as a guest at Coachella) is fast-approaching. Nat takes a shower to clear her thoughts, which only serves to remind her of her past struggles with self-harm. She nearly falls back into dangerous habits when she remembers Remyโs tearful reaction to discovering her scars. Back in the present, Natโs neighbors check in on her after hearing the screaming from her apartment. The reminder that sheโs not alone is the final push she needs to pick up the phone and call her old therapist once again. โ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ #๐/๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐; A story in three parts. At her therapistโs urging, Nat tries integrating back into society. She first calls up her parents for a nice dinner out. Next is dance practice with her touring troupe. Though she loves seeing all her friends again, she realizes that her relationship with Remy wasnโt the only damaged by her time in isolation. Finally, Nat has a night out with friends. After coming home a little stoned, Nat decides to finally tackle the pile of laundry at the foot of her bed. While organizing her closet, Nat realizes sheโs dancing of her own accord for the first time in weeks. Itโs not much, but it is progress. โ โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐; Itโs party time! Nat gears up for her first event since the big Breakup. She runs into her old friend, Rio, who introduces her to his protege, Maria. As it turns out, the budding star is a Tone. The pair strike up a quick friendship and Nat promises to dance onstage with Maria sometime. She tries to look for Marcelo after hearing heโs at the party, but itโs been a while since she drank like this and the alcohol is hitting hard. While refilling her vodka tonic, Nat finds herself in conversation with a woman named โAnnaโ (surprise, itโs actually Chrissy) and maybe spills a little too much about her breakup. Next, Nat finds the illustrious party host herself. Luna drags her out to the dancefloor and treats her to a sample of her new cannabis crop to help Nat forget her current troubles. Unfortunately, thatโs the exact moment Amani shows up and asks for a private audience, but she decides to hold off when she realizes what a crossfaded mess Nat is. As she sobers up, Nat runs into Frenchie, and the two discuss heartbreak and how it affects their art. Just as it looks like things are going well, someone shows up with party favors. Nat fights off an anxiety attack, running outside to get some fresh air, eventually deciding to just call it night. โ โ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐; Natโs best friend, Claire, comes over to help her finish moving in - as well as give her a swift kick to the self-esteem. Years ago, Nat helped Claire through her first big breakup, now sheโs here to return the favor. After packing away Remyโs things and deleting the pictures off her phone, Nat struggles with the public side of her breakup. Then, the day before Coachella, Nat wakes up to a chronic pain flare up and decides to spend the day in bed. Instead, her manager, Gil, calls to chastise her about THWD's latest article about her. Nat finds herself at the beauty supply store out of spite. Tired of blue, she decides to change up her look entirely, settling on a fiery ombre. While dyeing her hair, Natโs surprised to find herself singing. It becomes the basis for the first song sheโs written in months. โ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ #๐/๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ #๐; In an effort to take control of the narrative, Gil sets up an interview with Bitchin' Mag. Nat and Eddie do a quick shoot in Elysian Park, followed by a game of Song Association. โ โ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐; We travel back to the year 2017 when Nat first met Laurie. His band, Some Serious Side-Effects (or 3SE) were asked to perform a tribute to Fleetwood Mac at the upcoming AMAs and asked their fellow Best New Artist nominee Spectrum to duet with them, seeing as they both built high reputations for their covers. The two acts had always been fans of each otherโs works and quickly find themselves becoming friends. We also see a younger Nat struggle with her growing fame and what it means for her and Remyโs relationship. โ โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐; Back in the present, Coachella goesโฆErm, it goes. Natโs new look isnโt quite so well-received by her team. Combined with the Remy drama the day before, theyโre not terribly happy with her. Sheโs also stuck with one of the worst timeslots at the festival. Even self-proclaimed "#1 Tone" Laurie, who she runs into at the VIP booth, is gonna have to miss it. While talking, he becomes the first person to notice that Natโs not her usual self. The pair promise to do guest appearances on each otherโs stages before the festival season is up. On the second week, Nat gives a lackluster performance; with Remy out of her life, Nat no longer knows who sheโs singing to. Instead of pushing her back towards depression, Nat finds the experience motivating. Next year, she tells herself, sheโll be the one headlining Coachella. โ โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ #๐; Another flashback story! Vogue meets up with Spectrum 2017, during her stay in London when she was working on her performance with 3SE. What follows is ten minutes of Nat simultaneously terrifying the interviewer and making him fall in love with her. โ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ #๐; Coachella, the Billboard Music Awards, and everything in between. โ โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐; Itโs finally time for Nat and Amani to have that conversation. As it turns out, Remy might be ready to start talking again. When Nat sees that Remy liked her most recent Instagram post, she nearly texts her first, only to get nervous and put it off for later. While getting ready for the VMAs, Nat starts working more on that song she started before Coachella. At the afterparty, Nat runs into most of 3SE, who joke that Laurieโs not there because heโs picking up girls - which is totally ridiculous because Nat runs into him five minutes later. After learning that heโs a total VALรRIO and Marcelo fanboy, Nat decides to introduce him to her friends. They also meet up with Maria briefly and congratulate her on her performance. Other highlights include Laurie and Mar exchanging numbers and Rio becoming the first official Spectriana stan. Just before the end of the night, Laurie gets a phone call that seems to shake him hard, but he refuses to talk about it. โ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ #๐/๐๐๐๐๐๐; With the second leg of her tour fast-approaching, Nat makes the most of what little free time she has left. A night out on the beach with her parents buoys her spirits, but one question plagues her; when was the last time she was truly happy? Her mind lands on last July, during the time she was living with Remy. Inspired by her recent adventure with the Rosarios, Nat finds herself working on her first new song in almost a year. It's only then that she bucks up the courage to finally text Remy back.