Shanren

Formed in 2000 Shanren, literally ‘mountain men,’ are the original Yunnan band that started it all, and have become one of China’s top indie folk bands. Winners of China’s CCTV3 2016 national competition ‘Sing My Song’ which showcases original music and artists, Shanren are now effectively household names in China despite their alternative style which fuses indigenous music with modern styles, while showcasing a huge variety of traditional instruments.
Shanren’s international career, based on the strength of their infamous energetic live shows has taken them to festivals all over the world, including WOMAD NZ, Womadelaide (Australia), Rainforest World Music Festival (Malaysia), Balispirit (Indonesia), Rotterdam Unlimited (Holland), FMM World Music Festival (Portugal), Paleo (Switzerland), Otavalo Roots (Ecuador), Sound Beat Asia (Japan). Their 2013 album “Left Foot Dance of the Yi and other Chinese Folk Anthems” released by Riverboat Records was nominated for best Rock album at the 2013 MIDI music awards, Best Folk album at the Golden Melody Awards and received Best Folk Roots album at the Golden Folk Awards 2014. It was listed as number 51 in the 2014 Annual European World music album charts.