A young musician who dreams of performing at major venues and festivals is making his mark in the industry with the release of his first EP.
Zeny Bux, from Chadderton, is a solo musician who has been passionate about "making it" since finishing his music course at Oldham College last June.
The 19-year-old has been busy performing and releasing his own music from the age of 16, which he says has been inspired by indie rock and Britpop, such as Oasis and The Stone Roses as well as The La's, Feeder "and a bit of U2".
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Zeny has always wanted to be a singer and started by joining after-school clubs where he formed a school band.
He released his first EP in June (Image: Ellis Potts)
He said: "That's where I wanted to step up and pick up the guitar.
"I wanted to do this as a hobby, but it accidentally turned into a successful outlet for me."
The youngster was also in a four-piece indie rock band called Toneside before the group parted ways in 2022 due to "creative differences".
Zeny said the group are still friends but the break-up prompted him to move on and go solo.
The teen has had impressive feedback on his music so far (Image: David Gleave)
He has since supported well known artists such as Barry Sutton, the former guitarist of The La's, and Chris Helme, the former frontman of The Seahorses, and even featured in music news sites including RGM, Louder than War, Northern Exposure and Babystep Magazine.
Meanwhile, his hit single, Better Dreams, has more than 5,000 Spotify streams to date - a song which he said is about "taking the weight of your world off your shoulders" and feeling "better vibes, by sleeping with better dreams".
Now, he is celebrating the release of his first EP, In My Vision, which is comprised of songs such as Flame, Roll It On and I Need Time, and Zeny isn't showing any signs of slowing down.
@definitelyzeny #foryou #fyp #foryou IN MY VISION - DEBUT EP OUT NOW! #zenyfuckinbux #MODLIKE #ZENLIKE #inmyvision #debutep #zenybux #indierock #britpop #alternativerock #rock #britrock #madchester #madferit #rkid #rocknroll #oasis #liamgallagher #noelgallagher #thestoneroses #ianbrown #johnsquire #courteeners #u2 #thelasband #leemavers #johnpower #castband #newindiemusic #acousticrock #manchestermusicscene #manchestermusicians #manchestermusic ♬ original sound - Zeny Bux
When asked about what the future holds, the youngster has big dreams and ambitions to support some of his idols, hit the charts and headline major festivals and other gigs.
He said: "I hope to one day support my idols like Liam Gallagher or Johnny Marr, and also some local artists like Jonny Brown, Seb Lowe and Inspiral Carpets.
"I want to play bigger shows, like the Deaf Institute and Manchester Academy and for my music to take me as far away as possible.
"I'd like to play a big tour and festival slots like TRNSMT, Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds - and an acoustic set at Wembley Stadium."
Zeny has performed in various venues across Oldham and Manchester, including here at the popular Old School BBQ Bus in Failsworth (Image: Kieron Entwhistle)
Zeny said he would love to hit a milestone of 100,000 or more streams with the amount of albums and singles he has up his sleeve.
While he enjoyed positive feedback, particularly after performing at The Crown Inn in Chadderton which he described as his favourite gig to date, that is not to say it has been plain sailing for him.
Zeny said some of the challenges he has faced in the industry started when he was just 16 and was supporting an artist who had been in a "big band" before the performer "started to have a go at me as I accidentally interrupted him".
He also claims to have dealt with difficult landlords and pub managers who can be "rude" when he calls to try and book gigs.
@definitelyzeny DOUBLE OASIS COVER!!! :D Well it seems as though that my vocals are officially recovered-ish…so here’s pretty how I’m feeling now! :)) Haven’t had these vocals since 2020! Stay cool everyone! x 🤘🎯🇬🇧 #zenyfuckinbux #MODLIKE #ZENLIKE #oasis #liamgallagher #noelgallagher #britpop #britrock #rocknroll #madferit #rkid #rocknroll #madchester #manchestermusicscene #manchestermusicians ♬ original sound - Zeny Bux
Zeny said: "It's a massive struggle for me and for other local singers and musicians that I know."
The difficulty in booking local slots has meant Zeny has decided to take a step back from playing gigs in pubs and "start focussing on the bigger picture".
He has also ruled out busking and taken a break from social media due to "trolls who throw racial slurs at me" for being a "musician and a Muslim".
Still, Zeny is determined to keep his head up and make his mark, adding: "My dream is to make it in the industry".
He will be performing live at Retro Bar, Manchester, on Friday, July 19 where he will be supporting Ellipsis, followed by VentureFest in Failsworth on Saturday (July 27) and Grotton Pavilion for the charity gig, The Breaking Barriers Showcase on Saturday, September 14.
Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
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