By Crystal Harrell
Saving Slytherin is entering a new chapter with a refreshed lineup and the release of its first self-titled official album; an effort the group says represents both a creative rebirth and a more polished evolution of its original music.
The band has reached four members, and just in time for our revamp and first official album, with Ruben Garcia on keys, Alexis Guzman on the bass, Ricky Valadez on cajon, and Noel Oliva Jr. on vocals and guitar.
The group’s decision to revisit and remake their earlier songs was sparked by a desire to elevate their sound beyond the DIY recordings that originally introduced them to listeners.
“The original content was some really good songs, but along the way we realized we can do better,” Oliva explained. “Our old tracks were recorded and edited on a smartphone. That was cool and all, but we decided to re-record, remaster and produce our tracks professionally with industry-standard programs and equipment.”
The band partnered with producer Jose Aragon at 111 Studios to bring the project to life.
“After deciding to rerecord our songs professionally, I was excited to revisit each song and breathe new life into them. Our sound has definitely evolved for the better,” said Oliva.
For percussionist Ricky Valadez, the full impact of the project became clear once the album was finally complete.
“Although there were numerous moments, I can say once the album was completed and I listened to it in its entirety, that’s when I truly felt we made something special,” Valadez said. “I truly enjoyed every single track’s uniqueness and unpredictability.”
Among the standout songs is the album’s opening track, “1901,” which Oliva recommends as the perfect introduction for new listeners.
“If I could recommend one song from the entire album to a new listener, I would say the first song on the album ‘1901,’” Oliva said. “It’s definitely one of my favorites. It’s also the first song I ever wrote for the band. It’s a tribute to The Godfather movies and is packed with references.”
While Oliva leads the songwriting, bassist Alexis “Guzi” Guzman says the band’s collaborative process helps shape the final sound of each track.
“Adding bass parts to the songs and re-recorded guitar, keys and cajon on time was essential,” Guzman said. “Bass was the only instrument added after everything else was written. The creative process was working around the vocals, mainly supporting the storytelling music.”
Storytelling is a major focus for the band’s music, a quality keyboardist Ruben Garcia hopes listeners will notice.
“I’d like listeners to definitely pay attention to the lyrics,” Garcia said. “Each track in this album is a story with a deeper meaning, rather than simply arranging lyrics to create a pleasing auditory experience with meaningless words.”
The band’s unique name also reflects the pop culture influences that helped inspire its identity.
“Half of the band name was definitely inspired by the Harry Potter universe,” Oliva said. “As for the other half, I was thinking of the movie Saving Private Ryan. Just like that, somehow the band name entered my brain. The name will always reflect our identity. As time goes by, the band name will not only represent a sweet movie reference, but a really good band with good music.”
With the album now complete, Saving Slytherin is eager to bring their music to audiences beyond the studio.
Following Saving Slytherin on social media @saving_slytherin_ and listen to their new album on all streaming platforms.
