Brighton band rejected Leona

12:26pm Thursday 25th October 2007

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When Leona Lewis won The X Factor and a £1milllion recording contract, members of Brighton band Silent Earth didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Because just a few months earlier the talented singer was rejected after auditioning to be their new vocalist.

Leona - who looks set to have the fastest-selling single of 2007 with Bleeding Love - was one of 500 people aiming to replace singer Una Creary, last year.

Leona was called back and then asked to record a demo of their track Times Have Changed, written by Ru Garvey and Dan Karrouze.

Her soulful voice blew the pair away and they were keen for Leona to join their bid to become the next big thing out of Brighton, following the likes of The Kooks and Fatboy Slim.

But then ex-bandmate Una threw a spanner in the works by demanding to rejoin the band, and the next time they saw Leona she was on X Factor.

Dan, 39, who lives in East Preston, near Littlehampton, said: "Leona came down to the studio and she was amazing. We got on really well and it was obvious how much talent she had.

"But we turned her down to take Una back, which was a huge mistake because she left again, and we are still looking for a vocalist.

"The worst thing was Leona said she was entering X Factor and I told her it would ruin her career if she wanted to be taken seriously as a singer. I think it was the last thing I said to her - it makes me look like a right doughnut!"

Silent Earth began when Dan and Ru, from Brighton, met three years ago. Dan had been producing tracks for a while when he sought a co-producer to help create the mellow dance and ambient soul sound he had envisaged.

Through a chance meeting they got chatting about music and the band was formed with long time friends Jonny Maiden and Matthew Wear.

Between them the band have worked with the likes of Barry White and Amy Winehouse, and their album FAQ came out this year.

Dan added: "Despite kicking ourselves we were really pleased for Leona when she won, and if she still fancies joining the band she is more than welcome.

"We are still looking for the right vocalist and will be holding auditions soon. We'd love to get that search televised or broadcast on the internet - maybe we'll unearth another gem like Leona."

Find out more about the band by visiting www.silentearth.co.uk .

Click here to listen to the demo of Times Have Changed