Movies & TV / Columns

GRLwood’s Rej Forester On Appearing In New Horror Comedy Roommate Wanted

October 20, 2020 | Posted by Bryan Kristopowitz

The 411 Interview: Rej Forester

Rej Forester is a musician from Louisville, Kentucky, and the mastermind behind the band known as GRLwood. GRLwood appears in and performs music for the horror comedy Roommate Wanted, written and directed by Michael McCartney and which recently had its world premiere at the 2020 Salem Horror Film Festival. In this interview, Forester talks with this writer about appearing in Roommate Wanted, working with writer/director McCartney, her musical influences, and more.

Bryan Kristopowitz: How did you get involved with the movie Roommate Wanted?

Rej Forester: Michael was a friend of the owner of the label that GRLwood is signed to. After talking to Michael and revising his ideas with the team, we all thought it would be lovely to be involved in his project, Roommate Wanted.

BK: Is Roommate Wanted the first movie you’ve appeared in?

RF: Yes.

BK: What was it like working with Roommate Wanted director Michael McCartney?

RF: It was great. We were welcomed by everyone at the scene, and Michael was even so kind as to make time to meet outside of shooting, though it was a very busy time for everyone involved. He was very kind and open armed throughout the entire process. It was awesome to see so many people working so hard together!

BK: Describe your working relationship with your fellow GRLwood member Karen Ledford.

RF: Karen Ledford is no longer involved in GRLwood, however when we were working together we were best friends on top of being musical partners. She would dedicate many, many long hours to being creative with me and my vision, and for that effort, I will always be thankful.

BK: What was the coolest part for you, as a performer and musician, in participating in Roommate Wanted?

RF: Seeing everyone try their hardest and working together was the coolest part for me. It was surreal to come into a space as someone new who had never experienced that environment before, then participating as well. Also the food was amazing. But yeah, everyone did such a good job!

BK: How did you come up with the band name GRLwood?

RF: It was 2016, my wife and I had separated, Trump had just been elected, I had been making a lot of music lately and couldn’t decide on a name. I would go downstairs to my roommates and think out loud. Lady Boner? Nah… There is already a band in town called Boner City, and that’s too close in relation… and I don’t only play fast angry material, so I wouldn’t want Lady Boner to take away the seriousness of my more somber stuff or pop… mmm… Girl-wood? It’s like the same meaning but more… serious? Does it sound more serious, maybe? My roommate nodded in agreement and together we were like, yeah, that’s it.

BK: Who and what are your musical influences?

RF: Dang, literally everything. I believe my influence comes from so many passing sounds in my daily life, songs on the radio at the store, rhythmic pulses from construction equipment, that it’s hard to really pin-point specific names, but I can say that my parents listened to a lot of Nirvana and Hole, when I was a kid I listened to Brittany Spears and Christina Aguilera then my Marilyn Manson phase, then euro-techno I listened to as a teenager, then Bjork, and the Knife when I was finding myself, now I listen to mostly rap. All of that passes through my brain filter as I analyze passing sounds, then BOOM.

BK: Are you a horror movie fan?

RF: Dude, so I am a baby when it comes to scary films, but only certain types of scary films. Roommate Wanted is a type of horror film I can really digest, and don’t have to feel like I need to hide behind a pillow the whole time. lol.

BK: Any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

RF: Yes, The team and I are chewing on the thought of releasing a GRLwood score of the music that I wrote for the film. I am also working on my separate pop music project, and am rehearsing with new people to bring them into the GRLwood project. Really busy at the moment, honestly.

BK: What do you hope audiences get out of Roommate Wanted?

RF: A sense of never giving up! And always to do the right thing, and to help people when you can.

BK: Would you be interested in appearing in/participating in a Roommate Wanted 2?

RF: Oh heck yeah, Michael has my number! Let’s go!

BK: What do you look for in a roommate?

RF: I have had so many awful roommate situations (and many good ones). Um, I don’t look for roommates. But if I have one, I hope there can be a basic sense of like… not murdering flat-mates, like in the movie. And I hope there is a basic sense of common courtesy for communal spaces.