Leeholm Wang (center) [Photo provided to China Daily]

Wang incorporated one of his favorite instruments, the traditional two-string bowed instrument the erhu into his new songs, to give his music an Eastern flavor.

"I've been inspired by my parents' own immigrant experience and I feel deeply connected to my Chinese background," Wang says.

He was a torchbearer for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and he performed at the closing ceremony.

Besides writing and producing his own music, Wang has also dabbled in movie projects. One of his most successful roles was as a patriotic student in Ang Lee's 2007 movie Lust, Caution.

In 2010, he presented his directorial debut film, Love in Disguise, in which he also played the leading role.

In 2013, he married his girlfriend, Lee Jinglei and they have two daughters born in 2014 and 2016. Following their births he slowed down his work pace so he could spend more time with his family.

"Family is important to me. When I was making this new album, my wife produced my music videos and I edited the film with my elder daughter sitting on my lap," says Wang, adding that he also wrote songs for his daughters, which are on the album released next month.

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn