Shanren

Chinese indie folk quartet Shanren formed in 2000 in the country's remote Yunnan province. Currently based in Beijing, the group fuses together a mix of indigenous music, rock, reggae, and even ska, using traditional instruments like the four-stringed xiangzi and the xianggu drum. Shanren feature members from various regional ethnic minorities like the Wa and Buyi from Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, and incorporate elements of those folk heritages into their music. Led by guitarist and singer Qu Zihan along with bassist Ai Yong, drummer Ou Jianyun, and multi-instrumentalist Xiao Bu Dian, Shanren released their self-titled debut in 2009. Their energetic live shows have gained them a large following in their native China and they have expanded their touring into Europe, making festival appearances in Spain, France, and the U.K. Their second album, Left Foot Dance of the Yi and Other Chinese Folk-Rock Anthems, was released internationally in 2014.
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