In a "front room in the dregs of the Earth" amidst drug dealers and gun runners is how Republica's vocalist Saffron describes the band's first working location in South London, as she joined Tim Dorney and Andy Todd in their quest to return clever lyrics, identifiable melodies, and relentless, driving upbeat music to London's stagnating club scene.
"It had fragmented into the opposite of everything it was meant to stand for," says the fiery singer. "We were getting pissed off with all the music we heard. No lyrics, no proper melodies."
Born in Nigeria with an exotic blend of Portuguese, Chinese and English ancestry, Saffron had done stints with N-Joi and The Shamen and worked with Jah Wobble and Mark Moore, before finding kindred spirits in the songwriting partnership of Dorney and Todd. As the primary songwriter with British media darlings
Flowered Up, Dorney had achieved some success with a 12-inch record called "Weekender" and an accompanying 20 minute film. Todd's credits include producing songs from Bjork to Barbara Streisand.
Republica's message came through loud and clear on the first track they finished, "Out of This World" (reworked on the album under the new title "Out of the Darkness") as the group was signed to the U.K. indie alternative/dance label, DeConstruction on the strength of that track alone. Saffron had previously worked with the label when she sang with N-Joi.
With cynicism and a wry sense of humor, Republica has succeeded in turning the tables on the London club scene, with what Saffron describes as "techno-pop punk rock."
Working long hours in their own studio now in a more desirable part of London, the anthemic "Ready to Go" is a good example of how Republica songs come together.
"One day Johnny had the bright idea for the chorus," elaborates Saffron. "I filled in the gaps and we all got around to writing the rest of it. A lot of our songs get written over long periods of time."
"We all write all the songs together," Saffron explains. "The guys do most of the music. My role is lyrics and melody, but we all write the lyrics. It's a band consciousness. Nothing would get past if we didn't all like it."
Audiences and critics were quick to respond. "Saffron converts tonight's 10,000 crowd to Republica's brand of euphoric, upbeat music with unnerving ease," reported Vox Magazine. Music Week praised Saffron's "vocals with real attitude" and said her delivery was "an inspiring backlash against the soaring house divas."
"More guts than the rest of the charts put together" raved the Daily Record . NME is predicting sales in the millions and praised Republica's "simply excellent set," while Melody Maker calls them "simply fantastic."
With their debut self-titled album recorded, Republica is now ready to go to this side of the Atlantic.
