Courtesy photo
Tejano music fans have a new reason to celebrate with the launch of the “Wiri Wiri Banter” podcast, hosted by singers Monica Saldivar and Paola Ortiz, the talented vocalist of the Cumbia band Sabor Puro. The dynamic duo recently shared insights about their new podcast and much more in an interview with Tejano Nation Radio host Romeo.
Monica Saldivar, a three-time Tejano Music Awards winner, explained the origins of the podcast, highlighting the long-standing friendship between her and Paola. “Ultimately, it started off as we’ve been friends for a very, very long time, and people will see that in the very first episode of ‘Wiri Wiri Banter’,” she said. Paola added, “Back in late April, early May, Monica had an opportunity to start a podcast, and I recently got really into podcasts. I love to talk, and I think it’s a fun way to communicate and connect people.”
The podcast aims to offer a platform for different voices within the Latin community, discussing various topics from music to cultural trends. Monica emphasized the unique perspectives they bring as Latinas with different upbringings. “There’s two different sides of being Latina, right? Being Tex-Mex, being born and raised in Texas, Mexican American. We come together and talk about both sides of things as well as music, as well as trends.”
Paola shared the inspiration behind the podcast’s name, “Wiri Wiri,” which has multiple meanings in the Spanish language. “We thought, what better way to incorporate both sides of that coin than to say Wiri Wiri, like we’re just going to be wiri-ing around. We’re just going to make it a verb and it’s just going to be us having a good time and us bantering around.”
The hosts plan to start with music-related content, featuring interviews with musician friends and community members. “We want to build something that is helpful for our community, our Latin people,” Paola said. Monica added, “We’re wanting to build this as a platform for people to feel welcomed and invited and secure in the fact that regardless of which way they grew up, they have a home for their podcast.”
Paola also spoke about her band, Sabor Puro, and their upcoming album. “We’ve been a Dallas cumbia band since 2017, and we are finally venturing into creating an album. It’s been highly anticipated, and we’re ready to deliver some new fresh music.”
Monica released her latest EP “III” (Tres) in May, which produced the hit songs “Para Qué” and “En Realidad.” With her new album she continues to push boundaries and set new standards, cementing her status as one of Tejano music’s brightest stars.
Listeners can follow “Wiri Wiri Banter” on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe on YouTube to watch new episodes every Thursday at 7 p.m. CT or tune in on many podcast platforms. This exciting new podcast promises to be a vibrant addition to the Tejano and Cumbia music scene, connecting fans and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Latin community.
“Wiri Wiri Banter” Podcast — Episode 1
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