It’s not uncommon for bands to emerge with great music and play some fun shows—only to soon disappear.
But some musicians are too dedicated to their craft to remain gone forever.
Saving Slytherin crept onto the local scene in 2022, adding to the desert’s creative force with a unique mix of hip hop and heavy rock. The duo of Noel Oliva (vocalist and guitar player) and Ricky Valadez (cajon) appeared on local news sites and on Angel Chavez’s YouTube podcast, and played a few shows to support their debut EP, Chicano Wizard … then disappeared.
“We took a hiatus, because the songs we originally had put out were awesome, and we loved them—but we learned that we all collectively thought they could be way better,” Oliva said during a recent phone interview.
In 2026, Saving Slytherin is back. The group, with the addition of Alexis Guzman on bass guitar and Ruben Garcia on keys, released their debut album, Saving Slytherin Vol. 1, in late February, adding to their established genre blend with a mix of folky tunes that navigate feel-good reggae-pop vibes on “Ride or die,” and melancholy, introspective rap on “Dank red shoes.” The album is a result of a long, dedicated process to record music with effort and quality.
“We recorded (Chicano Wizard) on a smartphone, which is cool, but we thought, ‘Hey, we should actually record this,’” Oliva said. “‘It deserves better; the fans deserve better; and the songs deserve better. Let’s hire a producer with professional programs and equipment and give these songs justice.’”
Some musicians don’t have the patience required to record quality material. In Saving Slytherin’s case, it took more than a year to wrap up their debut album.
“When I came up with the idea, I told myself that I was going to give ourselves a year to finish this album,” Oliva said. “I’ve learned to be more patient when wanting a project finished. I knew it was going to take a while, so I was ready for the time. I was ready to put the work in, and willing to wait.”
Now that Saving Slytherin Vol. 1 has been released into the world, and the band is gearing up for shows, Oliva said the wait was well worth it.
“During the process, even midway through and toward the end, it felt like this was never going to happen,” he said. “I was just stuck in a working loop. Eventually, we hit that point where finally it’s released, and it’s getting good traction. Our friends and some of our fans love it, so it’s worth it. I knew this day would come, but in the process of writing the album and recording it, it seems so far away.”
Working on music for lengthy periods of time can result in frustration and even the dissolution of projects all together, but Oliva’s sincere love of music helped him keep his focus throughout the writing and recording time.
“It’s just a passion, and it’s my calling,” he said.
Oliva said he realized music was his life’s goal thanks, in part, to his relationship with Saving Slytherin’s cajon player, Ricky Valadez.
“We’ve known each other since we were middle school-aged,” Oliva said. “I’d never played the guitar, but he bought a guitar from the pawn shop, and he would play it. I would use it sometimes, and I realized, ‘Dang, this is cool.’ A few years later, I played more songs, and once I discovered legendary bands like Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and Metallica, it just lit a fire in me. After that, I knew that this is what I have to do, and I dedicated my life to music.
“Growing up here in the Coachella Valley is different, because you’re not in L.A., where it’s ‘ideal’ to be part of music. There are so many opportunities there, and out here, there are also a lot of opportunities. With Coachella fest, sometimes local bands get chosen to play, and that’s inspiring, even if you don’t get chosen. It kind of lingers over you, like, ‘Hey, maybe you will one day.’ Besides Coachella fest and Stagecoach, there’s a lot of talent here in the valley that’s becoming known now, especially with social media. I feel like we have our own ecosystem.”
Saving Slytherin are scheduled to perform their first live show since the hiatus on Saturday, March 28, at Music House Indio. While Oliva insists he isn’t nervous about his return to the stage, he is making a conscious effort to provide a good show for his friends and fans.
“I asked myself, too, ‘Am I nervous?’ And I tell my inside voice that I’m in it for the entertainment,” he said. “I want to make sure people get a good show, that all of our volumes are in sync, and we just play well. I just want to bring a good show to people. I’m not really nervous anymore, but I used to be.”
Saving Slytherin’s album-release show will take place at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 28, at Music House Indio, at 82777 Miles Ave., in Indio. Kill the Radio and 111 Entertainment will also perform, and admission is free. For more information, visit instagram.com/saving_slytherin_/.