AYSHAN Kemal is living her dream after Universal Records snapped up her feisty female foursome, Fe-Nix. Ayshan, 25, a former pupil at Newbury Park and Valentine s high schools, admits she was the archetypal teenage girl next door, who locked herself in he

AYSHAN Kemal is living her dream after Universal Records snapped up her feisty female foursome, Fe-Nix.

Ayshan, 25, a former pupil at Newbury Park and Valentine's high schools, admits she was the archetypal teenage girl next door, who locked herself in her bedroom and sang into a hairbrush in front of the mirror.

Now she's about to tour the UK with Fe-Nix colleagues Jade, Tanya and Priceless, supporting N-Dubz and Tinchy Stryder.

The band's single, Lady Baby, is out at the start of May.

"This whole thing is like a dream come true," explains Ayshan, who lives in Gants Hill.

"The record company are really behind us and are letting us have a big say in everything."

Unlike a lot of girl bands or groups these days, Fe-Nix are not the result of a reality show or put together by a pop empresario.

Ayshan, who before Fe-Nix had been in a girl band called N-Trigue, knew south Londoner Tanya and Jade, from Canvey Island, from various dance competitions.

The trio decided they wanted a rapper headed to myspace and Google and fellow Londoner Priceless became the final piece in their jigsaw.

They then approached manager Charles Gordon, who launched Big Brovaz in 2002, and who now manages Booty Luv.

"Priceless is amazing," enthuses Ayshan. "She's the best rapper and we're so lucky to have her. Then when we were looking for a manager, Charles' name kept cropping up. We went to him, he took us on and within a year we were signed. We've literally had to pinch ourselves."

That Universal deal was done and dusted in December, and three months on, Fe-Nix are chartbound.

And soon Asyhan, who after leaving school worked part time as a West End shop assistant at the likes of Gucci and Versace as she pursued her music career, will soon find it hard to squeeze in a visit to her local haunt, Faces, Cranbrook Road.

"I've always lived within walking distance of Faces, and I think I've pretty much been there on every day of the week at some point. I've got different groups of friends for the different nights of the week.

"I go with my school pals on a Saturday, while others prefer Sunday Sessions there. I'm a firm believer in supporting your local area, and Faces is my local."

Now the sky is the limit for Fe-Nix. Their debut single is a lively cover of the Ghost Town DJs R&B anthem, My Boo.

An album will follow, with producers like Harmony, who has worked with Kelly Rowland, Mike City - whose credits include Chris Brown and Rhianna - and Jack Shack, the man behind Tinchy Stryder, all involved. Meanwhile, Apple Bottoms, the clothing line owned by hip-hop mogul Nelly, have announced the band as faces of their 2009 campaign.

Fe-Nix support N-Dubz and Tinchy Stryder at Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on April 17, at the Shepherd's Bush Empire on April 18 and at IndigO2 at the O2, North Greenwich, on April 19.

- MATT TROLLOPE