Band through to regional finals of music contest (From Swindon Advertiser)

Band through to regional finals of music contest

10:50pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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Swindon-born Laura Duckworth has won through to the London regional finals of a national music competition with her band Scarlletta.

Laura, 20, now lives in London, but her godparents are still in Purton and she says the family often comes back to Swindon for Christmas.

Scarlletta will have three and a half minutes up on stage to impress the judges in the regionals of the Live And Unsigned competition which takes place on March 28 at The Beck Theatre in Hayes, Middlesex.

“It is not a long time to impress. We sing two songs a melodic cover and an original,” said Laura.

The singer plans to design her own costume for the big night.

“Image is important to me, not shocking but memorable. I design my own clothes or wear vintage clothes that I have customised. For Live And Unsigned I am going to wear an outfit with big shoulders and long veil to the floor. I have chosen sparkly sequinned material sort of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat with netting.” said the singer.

The former Holy Family school girl left Swindon when she was 10 years old. She has been working in the music industry since she graduated from Queen Mary’s University in London, working with such record production companies as Cave Productions who count The Saturdays and Will Young on their books. Laura named her band after her childhood imaginary friend that she called Scarlet.

Scarlletta are currently working on their debut album with Sony Benny D who has produced Adele, Ellie Goulding and Paloma Faith. Their sound is electro pop but with a sparky edge and 1980s sounding synth and keyboards.

“I sing about girl power, upbeat melody but dark and edgy with cynical lyrics,’’ said Laura.

She doesn’t like singing other people’s songs because they are hard to interpret.

“I write what I feel because it is easier to express,” she said.

If Scarlletta win through the regional finals they will tour different cities before competing in the final at the O2 Arena in London which will be filmed for Channel 4.