Stephanie Bergara of the tribute band Bidi Bidi Banda created a special playlist of her Selena favorites for C&I.
As a girl, Stephanie Bergara remembers seeing Selena on TV. It changed her life.
“Selena was the first person who I ever saw on television who looked like she could be related to me. She was so sparkly and amazing. I wanted to be on stage singing, just like her. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I said to myself, ‘That’s it — that’s what I want to do with my life. I want to be like her.’”
Click on the right arrow above for a slideshow of images.
Years later Bergara found herself singing in Spanish with a guitar trio in Austin, Texas, but not really achieving her musical ambitions. That’s when she got the idea to sing Selena.
“The only people coming to our shows were my mom and dad,” Bergara says. “I started thinking about what people liked, what Latin culture was. I had my own personal love affair with Selena, and her influence on the world. I knew if I sang a Selena song, people would be into it. And if one Selena song would be great, what if I sang 10 Selena songs, back to back? What would an hour and a half of Selena songs be like?”
That question is answered in the performances of Bergara’s Austin-based tribute band, Bidi Bidi Banda, who have worked hard to replicate Selena’s songs and play them as close to the original as possible. If you want to go to a Selena dance party, the seven-piece outfit delivers.
“I want people to come to our show, close their eyes, and believe that they’re at a Selena show. That’s what we’re trying to provide,” Bergara says.
While covering Selena, Bergara has blazed trails of her own. “We’re the first Latina-fronted band to play Blues on the Green [in Austin]; we’re the first Latina-fronted band to win an Austin Music Award in our category,” she says. “It’s disheartening to be the first, but I know great power comes from possibility. The best thing I can do in the position I’m in and the position the band is in, is when doors open for me, hold it open for other Tejano bands looking for a door to open.”
As for Selena’s place in that Tejano timeline, “Selena is as big as she ever was, and I don’t think she’s going anywhere soon,” Bergara says. “She made my dreams seem possible.”
Stephanie Bergara’s Essential Selena Playlist
When C&I asked Bergara to name her top Selena songs, she was a little taken aback. “Believe it or not, I don’t think anyone has ever asked me to create a playlist of my favorite Selena songs, so I had to think about it!”
You can find the playlist of her favorites on Spotify.
“La Tracalera.” This is actually my dad’s favorite Selena song. The cadence and sound of songs like this remind me of dancing with my dad at weddings and quinceañeras as a kid. It’s old-school Selena. This song always puts a smile on my face when I hear it.
“Yo Fui Aquella.” One of my favorite lesser-known Selena songs, I frequently will sing this song to warm up or sound check. It’s easily singable and really shows off that tender element of Selena’s singing voice.
“God’s Child (Baila Conmigo).” This song was a collaborative effort between Selena and Talking Heads vocalist David Byrne for what would ultimately be her last album, Dreaming of You. I love this collaboration because it is so unexpected. Selena is a vocal powerhouse and holds her own with rock ’n’ roll royalty on this effort.
“Costumbres.” Written by the legendary Juan Gabriel for Rocio Durcal. There were many points in Selena’s musical journey when she paid tribute to Durcal. It has been frequently noted she was one of Selena’s favorite artists.
“Missing My Baby.” This is my favorite song that Selena recorded in English. The tone and accompaniment are so undeniably ’90s. I get totally immersed in the timeframe that this song was released every time I hear it.
“No Me Queda Mas.” This song is the reason why [my band] Bidi Bidi Banda exists. I remember seeing the music video and being genuinely in awe of Selena’s beauty, and how she placed the elements of our Mexican American culture in to a short music video. It was inspiring. Mariachi, Mi Tierra Restaurant on the River Walk in San Antonio — in a music video! For a young Mexican American girl from Austin, it was the closest I ever felt to entertainment. It made my dreams seem attainable. It’s a beautiful song that I absolutely relate to as well. My favorite of hers.
“Yo Me Voy.” This song was a recent addition to Bidi Bidi Banda’s setlist, and it’s a crowd favorite — and a nostalgic favorite moment of mine on stage. When we play this song, we see couples of all walks of life fill the dance floor and it lets me know we must be doing something right.
“El Toro Relajo.” Straight up, strong voice, traditional Selena mariachi. Her voice was never stronger than it was on this song, and my heart bursts with pride every time I hear it. Her tribute to our culture, to our people, was always present, but especially in this song.
“Besitos.” A song that leads to another favorite moment of mine on stage. Five of our seven band members are parents or grandparents to young children. We always use this song as an opportunity to bring the kiddos on stage to dance with us at our family-friendly performances. It’s always a fun time.
“A Boy Like That.” Selena covers Chita Rivera and Rita Moreno! As a tribute artist myself, I especially love coming across a tribute from one of my favorite artists. Selena’s version — originally recorded as a part of benefit for AIDS Project Los Angeles — can be found on the original motion picture soundtrack of the 1997 film about her life. It’s such a treat.
Photography: Courtesy Eric Celedo
