Singer returns to folk roots

Singer Li Yuchun cheers for World Cup

Musician pushes violin boundaries

"The market for traditional Chinese folk music is too narrow, and it's losing audiences because of the shortage of good new works. To attract audiences, especially young people, composers have to expand their imagination and give it a try," she says.

Besides Cold Fairyland and the current folk-music band, Lin has another group, Swing Shine, which she formed in 2010 with French musician Jeremy Lasry, who is now her husband.

Based in Shanghai, the duo re-interpreted 1930s' Shanghai swing music. They have recorded two albums, which combine pipa with gypsy guitar. The two instruments represent Chinese culture and French-style jazz.

"As a foreigner, when I listen to Gossypium Era, I feel the writing to be a contemporary style inspired by the old cultural life of ancient China," says Lasry, who came from a musical family and graduated from a classical music conservatory majoring in double bass.

He originally came to China with a French band on a six-month contract to perform at a Shanghai bar.

Now, the couple is flying to Europe for their honeymoon. They will return to Beijing in September to perform at a jazz festival.