Castle If is the moniker of Toronto-based composer Jess Forrest, who specializes in retro futuristic electronic music. - Her work often utilizes sounds from her Moog Voyager, vintage production techniques, and other analog sources. She has an affinity for library records of old and frequently releases new “Imaginary Soundtracks” between commissions for film, television, podcast, and video game scores.
Forrest has appeared on bills alongside artists such as Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Faust, Silver Apples, U.S. Girls, Grimes, and Julianna Barwick. Now, live performances are rare as her career trajectory has shifted towards composing scores and library music.
A limited selection of her works can be licensed through the Canadian music library Bedtracks. - Her monthly instrumental radio show on FSR can be found in the Gently Dragged Archives.
(Photos by Kate Young. Album artwork for Plant Material, Sector 03, Zardoz, and Beyond! by Anna May Henry.)
Trailer for STRIP MALL. Writer/Director Andrew Appelle, Writer/Editor/Producer Robert Hyland. Premiered at Fantasia Film Festival, Montreal, 2025.
Original Soundtrack released September, 2025.
