I don't usually post about not-Star Wars, but I make special exception for Tron and Tron-adjacent elements, because if anything comes close to inspiring the particular joy and wonder in my heart as Star Wars, it's Tron, that insane, bleeding edge, philosophical cyber adventure; and its sequel, a bad movie that is also the best music video ever made by the hands of men.

And that gives me the distinct pleasure to highlight Wendy Carlos, Tron's composer, who is 83 today. Wendy Carlos is an absolute genius of electronic music; her work with Moog synthesizers in the 60s was so cutting edge, her feedback drove and originated many of the features modern synthesizers use. Check out this brilliant BBC video where Wendy leads the interviewer through her almost sculptural approach to forming original sounds-- the way she crafts the waveforms is beautiful.

Wendy's first significant work was Switched-On Bach in 1968, an electronic re-imagining of Bach's classical music, and which features-- we do really need to pause and consider this-- one of the best album covers ever:

Following Switched-On Bach, Wendy was contacted by Stanley Kubrick to provide the incredible, seminal soundtracks for two of his films, A Clockwork Orange and The Shining. Needless to say, when it came to Tron, there was simply no other choice.

Wendy is also an incredible trans woman¹, who transitioned at the height of her popularity in the late 60s; for decades she has spoken about her childhood gender dysphoria and her eventual relief at transition. I know Wendy was one of the first people who shaped my understanding of transgender people and their experiences.

Wendy Carlos is a hero, an elder of multiple communities that are now so important to our modern world, and a brilliant artist that's enriched the world. So, wherever you are today, Cohost²-- wish Wendy a happy birthday, and listen to some synthesizers for her.

1. Fun fact, Wendy Carlos is the first transgender artist to have won a Grammy!

2. And, let's be clear here-- she's got some real Cohost energy, I think we can all-- we all agree, right? Like that's there? Like if Cohost was around in 1972 she's making an Eggbug song on a Minimoog, surely?

love u Wendy 💕

Wendy Carlos is genuinely one of my heroes. Without her, half the stuff I make and half the stuff I listen to simply would not exist in the way it does today.
She's a brilliant musician, an even better sound engineer, and proof that queer people have always existed (and always will).

So happy birthday, Wendy!!!