Republica

Formed in 1994 in Windsor, Berkshire, Republica took shape around Tim Dorney and Andy Todd, soon joined by singer Saffron and various other musicians at different times, notably Johnny Male and David Barbarossa. Republica occupies a pronounced 1990s intersection of alternative rock, alternative dance, synth-pop and breakbeat, with songs built on taut guitars, nervous rhythmic programming and a front-and-center pop vocal. After the early singles "Out of This World" (1994) and "Bloke" (1995), Republica released the album Republica in 1996 and Speed Ballads in 1998, maintaining that tension between rock energy and electronic aesthetics. Around the same time Saffron also appeared on The Prodigy’s "Fuel My Fire" (1997), placing Republica close to the British big beat scene and rock-club hybridizations. The band went on hiatus in 2001, reformed in 2008 and resumed live activity, before issuing the EP Christiana Obey in 2013. Since the 2010s Republica has operated more intermittently, with new releases such as "New York" (2023) and "Hallelujah" (2024). Today Republica continues centered on Saffron, who is now the project's central member.