Wassabi Collective are critically acclaimed as one of Canada’s best live independent bands…they’ve enthralled audiences from coast-to-coast with their dynamic, explorative jams and eclectic…soul-satisfying sound. Head-bopping hooks and tasty pockets of funk can swerve unexpectedly, easily veering off into exploratory jams, fueled by the captivating vocals of Melissa Meretsky, the band’s soul-soothing siren, who has a young, boundless energy and powerful and assertive vocals that drip with a molasses-smooth warmth. She drives her drums with a force to be reckoned with, twirling about in an alluring display, interrupted only to bounce back to her congas in a fiery display that lights up the stage; while Brent “Gisto” Hongisto lays down the guitar and vocals; Jimmy Lewis on drums and vocals; keyboardist Rahj Levinson and bassist Andrew “Cormies” McCormick — have all mastered the art of banging out severely danceable tunes that rarely are carbon copies of each other. This spicy five-piece from the arty, alternative-thinking small town of Nelson, B.C., has been spreading their positive west coast vibes for more than seven years now. Many of Wassabi’s lyrics sing of beauty and realness and being true, but the band also looks to the outside, spreading messages of environmental, social and spiritual activism packaged in positive, feel-good lyrics.

The quintet released their first full-length studio record, “Stories Not Forgotten”, in spring 2007, a boisterous, independent follow-up to their rockin’ 2005 EP “Cato”, along with a banging collection of live recordings, and are back in the studio laying down their next release expected to drop Spring 2010. Wassabi Collective has shared the stage with such well-loved artists as Michael Franti and Spearhead, Femi Kuti, Hot Hot Heat, Randy Bachman of The Guess Who, Bedouin Soundclash, Garaj Mahal, K-OS, Bassnectar, and Ganga Giri. They have lent their vibe to many of Canada’s music festivals in the last few years including Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, Kokannee Crankworx, Sunshine Music Festival, Kokanee Summit, Whistler Music and Arts Festival, Komasket, Victoria Folk Fest, Evolve(5,6,7), Sunseekers Ball, Shambhala Music Festival, and Come Together. Their long list of charitable performances include the Music4Change Oxfam Benefit.

RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

1. Won 2 BCIMA’s for Album of the Year & Best Female Performer 2008. They were nominated in 5 categories.

2. Won 4 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Provincial Awards (2007) for Best World Song (“One Day”), World Album (“Stories Not Forgotten”), World Group, and Website, October 2007.

3. Won Best Song in the Jam category for “Blues on my Mind” at the 2007 Vox Populi “Peoples Choice” component of the Independent Music Awards.

4. Three songs featured on PBS series, “Roadtrip Nation,” Sept. 2007

5. Sonicbids spotlight band, March 2007

6. On the cover of HERE magazine, New Brunswick’s urban voice, March 2007

7. No. 1 “On The Verge” band (Relix Magazine), March 2007

8. Showcased at Canada Music Week, March 2007

“Wassabi Collective is critically acclaimed as one of Canada’s best live independent bands.For over five years, they have enthralled audiences from coast to coast with their dynamic,explorative jams and eclectic…soul-satisfying sound…”
(Off Centre Magazine-Dec 2005, Kelowna,BC)