Jammerzine has an exclusive interview with one of my personal favorite artists and an artist that helped define my younger years, both musically and personally, in the form of Saffron Sprackling from the almighty Republica. To say that Republica not only defined the 90s and electronic rock and pop music in general is an understatement. They helped create a bevy of music that came after them and have continued to fill stadiums from then to now.

Republica, consisting of Saffron, Tim Dorney, and Johnny Glue, have also released their new single and video titled ‘New York’, from their upcoming album ‘Damaged Gods’, releasing in 2024. Continuing that alt.pop magic that Republica planted those sonic seeds for, ‘New York’ is the gateway drug that will continue that special legacy that Republica is know around the globe for. Showing the songwriting within the group is a continuous evolution of revolution feels so refreshing knowing that great artists never die.

And, in this interview, we talk with Saffron about ‘New York’ and ‘Damaged Gods’ as well as everything Republica and Saffron, including her charity work as a keyworker in the mental health industry during the pandemic (BBC News video below).

This is truly as much a good conversation with a wonderful person as it is an interview. Watch the video above to check it out. Enjoy!

About ‘New York’ & ‘Damaged Gods’

It’s been a long time coming as the mighty REPUBLICA release their first new material in a decade in the guise of massive new single ‘NEW YORK’. It may be chilly outside but Republica are determined to continue the Summer mood with this stunning feel-good anthem to send souls soaring and get bodies moving. A short, sharp shot of dopamine to the heart and soul, vocalist (and cultural icon) Saffron says; “We’re so happy to be back out headlining live festivals and gigs again after lockdown and delighted at the reactions from the crowds and every audience who seemed to have taken ‘New York’ to their hearts already, as it has become a firm live favorite. So for us it means the world to have the opportunity to finally release new material through Armalyte Records.”

2023 has been a stellar year for Republica featuring a headline performance at Blackpool’s Rebellion Punk Festival, playing to 25,000 people alongside the Happy Mondays, and a sellout UK tour with The Boomtown Rats, it seems only fitting that the band close out the year in celebratory style with this joyous, upbeat anthem.

Following in the footsteps of gigantic smash singles ‘Ready To Go’ (with an incredible 42 million Spotify streams and counting) and ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’, ‘New York’ is another Republica instant alt. pop classic, and is the first single to drop following their newly inked deal with Armalyte Records, London’s leading underground alternative label.

About Republica

Republica dominated the charts in the Nineties with the band’s iconic and fiery front woman, Saffron, Tim Dorney (keyboards) and Johnny Male (guitar). They rode the Britpop wave of female-fronted rock bands like Sleeper, Elastica, Garbage and Lush, injecting it with their self-dubbed ‘techno-pop, punk rock’ sound.

Between 1996 and 1999, Republica sold an incredible 3 million albums and clinched Top 5 slots in the UK, America, South America and Europe with platinum sales across the globe, while their hit single ‘Ready to Go’ soared to Number One in many countries.

Their music has become a sought after soundtrack: ‘Ready To Go’ is currently being used on a Chevrolet advert in the US and featured in the billion dollar grossing ‘Capt Marvel’ movie, ‘YellowJackets’, Ted Lasso, Cruel Summer, Dua Lipa’s World for Vogue and Olivia Rodrigo covered it live on her 2022 world tour. It has been used in more than 300 films and adverts. Wes Craven selected their hit single, ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ for the soundtrack to his hit movie ‘Scream’ and invited them to perform at its Hollywood premiere.

Recently they have had headlining mainstage festival appearances including: the huge European City Of Culture festival in Serbia last year; Dubai, Israel, Germany, Isle Of Wight Festival, Victorious Festival, Norway’s Midnattsrocken, Little Orchard, Whychwood, Chalfest, Rebellion Punk Festival, Tom Kerridge’s Pub In The Park and a sell out UK tour with Sir Bob Geldolf’s Boomtown Rats.

Saffron also performed at two half times in Qatar for the FIFA World Cup last December and with Orchestras at the Brit Pop Festival and Back To Basics in Leeds with more coming in 2024.

Saffron has appeared on recordings by some of the world’s biggest music acts: The Prodigy (‘Fuel My Fire’ from ‘Fat of the Land’ album); The Cure ‘Just Say Yes’; Junkie XL; Gary Numan; Jeff Beck; DJ Carl Cox; Jah Wobble; N-Joi (‘Anthem’); Mark Moore, St Etienne and The Shamen.

Republica’s first album has been reissued as a Deluxe Triple CD, followed by colored vinyl reissues of both their albums: ‘Speed Ballads’ for 2023’s Record Store Day in April.

Saffron starred in a piece for the BBC for their classic TOTP documentary shows on the year 1997.

LINKS:
http://www.republicamusic.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/officialrepublica
https://twitter.com/saffrepublica
http://www.youtube.com/user/RepublicaTV1
https://republicaofficial.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1rSp8CsbPdFVq84q123pJy
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/republica/616725537