Saffron interview: Republica singer's Gary Numan duet, friendship and more

In this episode of Electric Friends: A Gary Numan Podcast, I’m joined by a very special guest — Saffron, frontwoman of Republica, lifelong Gary Numan fan, collaborator, and close friend of the Numan family.We talk through Saffron’s incredible journey in music — from her early influences and theatre work, to becoming a songwriter and eventually forming Republica in the mid-90s. She shares the story behind their breakthrough hits like ‘Ready to Go’ and ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’, how the band carved out their electronic rock sound, and what it was really like navigating success during that era.Of course, a huge part of our conversation is her connection with Gary Numan. Saffron explains how discovering Replicas at a young age completely changed her life, why Gary’s music resonated so deeply, and how that influence shaped her own artistic identity.We also dive into the iconic Random tribute album, where Saffron and Republica covered ‘Are Friends Electric?’ — and how that led to her first meeting with Gary and Gemma. What followed was not just a collaboration, but a lasting friendship that continues to this day.Beyond music, Saffron opens up about her work in mental health, her experiences during the pandemic as a frontline worker, and how those experiences have shaped her perspective.It’s a warm, honest and wide-ranging conversation about creativity, fandom, resilience and the lasting impact of Gary Numan’s music.