Bio

Wassabi Collective, a spicy five-piece from the arty, alternative-thinking small town of Nelson, B.C, Canada has been busy spreading their positive west coast vibes. The band’s sound fuses everything from pop, rock, hip hop, roots reggae, funk, jazz and everything in between, wrapping it all up with their own identifiable twist that has captivated dance floors and won them legions of fans across the country. Together, Melissa Meretsky (vocals& percussion), Brent Hongisto (vocals&guitar), Jimmy Lewis(vocals&drums) Rahj Levinson (keyboards) & Andrew McCormick (bass) are hailed as one of Canada’s best live independent bands and they are ready to take the world by storm. The quintet released their second full-length studio record, “Get It” in 2010, which was awarded the BCIMA for Urban/Dance Recording of the Year and follows up their last album “Stories Not Forgotten”, which won Album of the Year in 2008. (Melissa took home Best Female Performer that year as well and they have been nominated in 14 categories in the last 3 years). The band placed in the Peak Performance Project Top 20, and their music has been featured on the PBS series Roadtrip Nation, they were the #1 ‘On the Verge’ Band in Relix Magazine, have been awarded a People’s Choice Award at the Independent Music Awards and won 4 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Provincial Awards. The band have shared the stage with Bedouin Soundclash, Micheal Franti & Spearhead, K-OS, Femi Kuti, Hot Hot Heat, Randy Bachman, Bassnectar and Adham Shaikh. “Wassabi’s joyous sound takes you on a cosmic carpet ride from satisfaction to pure bliss…THE ULTIMATE FEEL GOOD ELIXIR!” (Exclaim Magazine)