Saffron (singer)

Samantha Marie Sprackling (born 3 June 1968), commonly known as Saffron, is a British singer, songwriter, actress and the lead singer of the electronica band Republica. She also performs solo and appeared in London's Starlight Express for two years.[1]

Saffron
Saffron performing with Republica in San Antonio, Texas in 1996
Background information
Birth nameSamantha Marie Sprackling
Also known asSaffron
Born (1968-06-03) 3 June 1968
Lagos, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • tambourine
Years active1990–present
Associated acts

Early life and career

Saffron was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Her mother was half Chinese and half Portuguese.[2] She began singing with N-Joi (their featured vocalist on their 1990 single, "Anthem") and the Shamen, and Jah Wobble. She appeared in the music video for the Chesney Hawkes 1991 hit, "The One and Only", and as a dancer in the music video for N-Joi's single, "Mindflux". She met Republica keyboard players Tim Dorney and Andy Todd by 1995, and they started writing songs after recruiting a guitarist and drummer.[3]

Career

Following the breakup of Republica, Saffron worked with the band The Cure, appearing on the track, "Just Say Yes". She had previously featured on the Prodigy's cover of L7's "Fuel My Fire" (from their 1997 album, The Fat of the Land); Deepsky's "Smile" (from the 2002 album, In Silico); Jeff Beck's "Pork-U-Pine" (from the 2003 album, Jeff) and Junkie XL's songs, "Crusher", "Spirits", and "Beauty Never Fades" (from his 2003 album, Radio JXL: A Broadcast From the Computer Hell Cabin).

In 2010, Republica reformed and released a re-recording of their 1996 hit, "Ready to Go" on 7 June 2010. During early October and November 2014, Saffron and Republica toured the United Kingdom in support of The Boomtown Rats "Ratlife" tour.

On 13 November 2015, Saffron performed her debut solo show at the 100 Club, London. She performed with guitarist Darren Beale and fellow singer Mel Sanson. She continues to tour both with Republica and with her solo show, which incorporates special guests.

In April 2016, Saffron assembled a full solo band consisting of Tony Feedback (Angelic Upstarts, Sham 69, Urban Dogs, UK Subs) on guitar, Piers Gielgud (Meat Beat Manifesto) on bass, Brad Walkhouse on saxophone/horns and Josh Collins (Reverbed) on drums. The lineup also occasionally includes Darren Beale (Boomtown Rats) on guitar. The band debuted at Polyfest 3 playing a mix of X-ray Spex classics and Republica hits.

Personal life

In 2013 she said her favourite bands were The Stone Roses, The Prodigy, Happy Mondays, Screaming Trees, Pearl Jam, Hole, Luscious Jackson, Leftfield, Gene, and Pulp.[4]

Discography

Solo singles
  • "One Love" (1992)
  • "Circles" (1993)
  • "World of You" (1993)

References
  1. "The facts behind the Starlight". BBC. 11 January 2002. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  2. "Electronica's siren is back – with kung fu moves". The Independent. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  3. "Republica | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  4. "Saffron from Republica reminisces about the 90s". YouTube. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2020.


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