WASI is an American indie pop, alternative rock band founded by Jessie Meehan and Merilou Salazar.
History
Origins and formation
Jessie and Merilou met at Savanna High School. They booked a show before they had a band. This show lead them to write 45 minutes' worth of garage punk songs under the moniker The Midol Poppers. They later created WASI to showcase their energetic pop anthems wrapped in their activist approach for social change. They have played on the , PRIDE festivals and have shared the stage with artists Shiny Toy Guns, KFLAy and the Mowgli's.
WASI released their debut EP Bleed Pop in the spring of 2015 with then-bandmates Garrett Harney and Dylan Robin. The EP achieved success with support from Billboard and San Diego's 91X. The band was invited to play Long Beach PRIDE and have opened for artists such as Shiny Toy Guns, Moving Units and the Dollyrots.
''COUP'' EP (2017)
WASI released their sophomore EP COUP in spring 2017. This EP honed in on their activism, from writing songs during their attendance at the riots in Portland in the 2016 election to their optimistic outlook inspired by their time volunteering with LA and OC's Girls Rock Camp. The band combines their influences of the Clash and M.I.A. and with a premiere of COUP on Paste magazine. This release has also been associated with the pop punk and riot grrrl genre. "Feminist Pop Punk Band 'We Are She Is' Smashes Patriarchy Introducing a more poppish Sleater-Kinney for the next generation." Notable singles include "Pussy Grabs Back" and "Floor Talk" which have both been featured on underground hip hop and punk radio stations throughout the US and Canada. The EP was produced by LA band
''Stranger California'' EP (2018)
Stranger California is the third independently released EP by WASI.
Activism
The duo are activists and outspoken feminists both through and outside of their music. They focus on girls empowerment, queer visibility and immigration. WASI released a music video in which they went to LA Pride and asked bystanders "What does pride mean to you". The answers were used as lyrics for . After a discrimination incident in which an employee at Walgreens wouldn't let Jessie use the female restroom, Jessie partnered with the to create a nationwide Walgreens gender neutral restroom policy. Salazar is also co-founder of charity, feminist music festival Womxn Fuck Shit Up Fest. This festival bridges music and activism featuring headliners Madame Gandhi, Kimya Dawson and Fuck U Pay Us and organizations such as and .
