Samantha Marie Sprackling (born 3 June 1968),[1] known professionally as Saffron, is an English singer, songwriter, actress and the lead singer of the musical group Republica. She also performs solo and appeared in London's Starlight Express onstage for two years.
Early life and career
Samantha Sprackling was born in Lagos, Nigeria, to an English father and Portuguese mother of part Chinese ancestry and grew up in Brixton, South London, England.[2][3] When she was 18, Sprackling passed an audition for Arlene Phillips for a part in the musical Starlight Express.[3][4]
Sprackling began singing with N-Joi (their featured vocalist on their 1990 single, "Anthem"), the Shamen, and Jah Wobble.[5] 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". Saffron then had a brief career as a solo artist, with one of her singles – a cover of Atlantic Starr's "Circles" – charting at #60 in the UK in 1993.
Republica
Sprackling met Republica keyboard players Tim Dorney and Andy Todd by 1994, and they started writing songs after recruiting a guitarist and drummer.[6] Republica released two albums and disbanded in 2001 after their record label, Deconstruction Records, collapsed.[3]
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, Republica toured the United Kingdom in support of the Boomtown Rats "Ratlife" tour.
On 13 November 2015, Saffron performed a 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 June 2022 Saffron took part in the Electric Ladies tour along with Toyah and Lene Lovich. A proportion of the income from the tour went towards Hazel O'Connor to help her ongoing recovery from ill health.[7]
Saffron now works as a mental health nurse as well as continuing to perform with Republica and as a solo artist.[8]
