Saffron (singer)

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]

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.

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]