Zhao Lei is on a national tour through January. The former street musician has won a growing fan base since his performance on the TV talent show Sing My Song in 2013.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Zhao lived in a small house of a courtyard nearby Gulou, a densely populated hutong area in the capital.

In this less-than-10-square-meter house, he wrote most of his songs, including Paint and Girl From the South. Despite the solitude, occasional hunger and even sleepless nights, Zhao was contented.

In 2007, he traveled to the Tibet autonomous region and Yunnan province, which inspired him with musical creativity.

His song The Train to Beijing comes from this experience.

Upon returning to Beijing a year later, Zhao gradually built a fan base by performing at live-house venues and outdoor music festivals.

In 2013, he staged his first national tour, visiting around 50 cities.

A year later, he released his second album, Jim Restaurant, which, compared with his debut album, is much more mature and reflects his life at certain moments.

"I used to immerse myself in the excitement of songwriting alone. Now with more people sharing my music, I want to put out new songs and tour," Zhao says.

"I have performed at small live-house venues, and I also perform at bigger venues like what I am doing on the tour. Every gig is different, and often it depends on the audience and how they interact and connect with the songs."

Zhao still lives in that courtyard. Soon, he will move to a bigger house but will keep the courtyard as his studio.

His living conditions have improved thanks to higher income brought by his rising profile.

But Zhao acknowledges that, to an extent, money gets in the way of what artists enjoy the most－making music.

"Compromise is inevitable since I am working with a team now. But I try to stay independent, committed and listen to the voice in my heart," he says.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn