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Yanou
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Yanou
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Key Information

Yann Peifer (born 6 March 1974), known professionally as Yanou, is a German trance and Eurodance musician and producer. He is most famous for collaborating on DJ Sammy's hit "Heaven" with vocalist Do[1] and for being a member of the popular German trance acts Tune Up! with DJ Manian, and Cascada alongside Natalie Horler as well as Manian.[2] Before Yanou worked with Tune Up!, Cascada and DJ Sammy, he produced and wrote tracks for "Beam & Yanou" in the late 1990s.

Discography

[edit]
See also: Cascada discography and R.I.O. discography
  • 2002 "Heaven (Candlelight Mix)" – DJ Sammy and Yanou ft. Do
  • 2002 "On & On" – Yanou ft. Do
  • 2004 "Miracle" - Cascada
  • 2005 "Everytime We Touch (Yanou's Candlelight Mix)" – Cascada
  • 2006 "King of My Castle" – Yanou ft. Liz
  • 2007 "Sun Is Shining"- Yanou
  • 2007 "What Hurts the Most (Yanou's Candlelight Mix)" – Cascada
  • 2008 "A Girl Like You" – Yanou ft. Mark Daviz
  • 2008 "Children of the Sun" – Yanou
  • 2009 "Brighter Day" – Yanou ft. Anita Davis
  • 2009 "Draw the Line (Yanou's Candlelight Mix) – Cascada
  • 2010 "Pyromania" - Cascada
  • 2011 "San Francisco" – Cascada
  • 2011 "Au Revoir" - Cascada
  • 2011 "Night Nurse" - Cascada
  • 2012 "It's a Fine Day" - John Modena & Yanou
  • 2012 "Summer of Love" - Cascada
  • 2012 "The Rhythm of the Night" - Cascada
  • 2013 "25 Lightyears Away" – Yanou
  • 2013 "Glorious" - Cascada
  • 2013 "The World Is in My Hands" - Cascada
  • 2014 "Bring on the Sun" – Yanou ft. Andreas Johnson
  • 2014 "Madness" - Cascada
  • 2015 "Reason" - Cascada
  • 2017 "Run" - Cascada
  • 2018 "Back for Good" - Cascada
  • 2019 "Like the Way I Do" - Cascada
  • 2020 "I'm Feeling It (In the Air) - Cascada
  • 2021 "One Last Dance" - Cascada
  • 2021 "Never Let Me Go" - Cascada

Beam & Yanou

[edit]
  • 1997 "On Y Va"
  • 1998 "Paraiso"
  • 2000 "Rainbow of Mine"
  • 2000 "Sound of Love"
  • 2000 "Free Fall"

Remixes

[edit]
  • 1997 "Shout! (Beam & Yanou Remix)"
  • 1997 "Encore! – Le Disc Jockey (Beam & Yanou Remix) "
  • 1997 "The Original (Beam & Yanou Remix)"
  • 1997 "The Full House (Beam & Yanou Remix)"
  • 1998 "Deeper Than Deep (Beam & Yanou Remix)"
  • 1998 "Light of Mystery (Beam & Yanou Remix)"
  • 1999 "Look at Us (Beam vs. Yanou)"
  • 2000 "E Nomine – E Nomine (Beam & Yanou)"
  • 2000 "Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U (Beam & Yanou)"
  • 2000 "Love Is the Answer (Beam & Yanou)"
  • 2000 "Cosmic Gate – Somewhere Over the Rainbow / Fire Wire (Beam & Yanou)"
  • 2001 "Geil (DJ Beam & Yanou)"
  • 2001 "Cosmic Gate – Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Part II) (Beam & Yanou)"

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Yanou

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from Grokipedia
Yanou (born Yann Peifer on 6 1974) is a German DJ, , and renowned for his contributions to and genres. Best known for co-producing the 2001 international hit "" with featuring vocalist Do—a cover of ' 1984 song that peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart for one week and reached number eight on the —"" sold over two million copies worldwide and earned multi-platinum certifications in multiple countries. Peifer is also a co-founder of the Zooland Records label, established in 2005, and one of the primary producers behind the Eurodance group Cascada, alongside DJ Manian and lead singer Natalie Horler, contributing to their breakthrough albums and singles like "Everytime We Touch" starting in 2004. Peifer's career began in the late as a remixer and producer in the scene, initially gaining recognition through the project Beam & Yanou, which released tracks like "On Y Va" (a cover of Yémo La Banane's 1998 song) in 2000. He expanded his solo work with releases such as "On and On" (2002), featuring singer Do and charting in European dance lists, and later "Brighter Day" (2009) under his Zooland Records imprint. Throughout the and , Peifer collaborated on additional projects, including the act R.I.O. with DJ Manian, producing hits like "Shine On" (2008), which peaked at number 25 on the German Singles Chart, and provided remixes for tracks such as "What Hurts the Most (Yanou's Candlelight Mix)." His work has been featured in over 100 releases, emphasizing uplifting trance melodies and vocal-driven dance anthems that influenced the early club scene.

Early life

Birth and upbringing

Yann Peifer, professionally known as Yanou, was born on 6 March 1974 in , .

Career

Early productions

Yanou's initial foray into professional music production occurred in 1997 when he co-founded the trance duo Beam & Yanou with Michael Urgacz (known as Beam), a collaboration that marked his entry into the electronic music scene. The project's debut single, "On Y Va", was released that same year on the German label Electronic, featuring energetic Euro house and elements that reflected the duo's early style. This track established Beam & Yanou's focus on uplifting, melodic productions, drawing from Yanou's prior experience as a club DJ. By 2000, the duo had expanded their output with releases on major labels, including the single "Rainbow of Mine" on Electrola under the Dance Label imprint, which showcased their evolving sound with atmospheric builds and vocal hooks. These early works highlighted Yanou's role as and songwriter, laying the groundwork for his contributions to the genre through partnerships with imprints like Electronic and .

Breakthrough collaboration

In 2001, German producer Yanou (Yann Peifer) began collaborating with Spanish DJ and producer on a trance cover of ' 1984 ballad "," enlisting Dutch vocalist Do (Dominique Rijpma van Hulst) for the track's emotive vocals. Yanou and handled production duties, transforming the original rock song into an uplifting Euro-trance anthem characterized by soaring synths, a driving beat, and Do's layered delivery that blended pop accessibility with dance energy. The single "Heaven" was first released in late 2001 in markets including and the , with wider international rollout in 2002 via labels like Universal and Data Records. It achieved significant chart success across , topping the UK Singles Chart for one week in October 2002 and entering at number one, while also reaching number one on dance charts in and the . The track peaked at number three in and number four in overall, and number eight on the ; it earned certifications including 2× Platinum in the UK (over 1.2 million units), Gold in the (500,000 units), and Platinum in . Globally, "" sold millions and became a staple in clubs and radio, amplifying the genre's mainstream appeal during the early 2000s. This collaboration marked Yanou's breakthrough, propelling him from earlier trance projects like Beam & Yanou into international prominence within the trance and scenes, where the track's success established him as a key figure in production.

Work with Cascada

In 2004, Yanou (born Yann Peifer) co-formed the German group alongside fellow producer DJ Manian (Manuel Reuter) and lead vocalist , building on Yanou's earlier experience with the 2001 hit "Heaven" alongside . The trio quickly established themselves in the scene, with Yanou serving as a primary and co-writer, contributing to Cascada's signature sound of fast-paced, synth-heavy tracks often featuring covers of earlier pop and rock songs reimagined in an up-tempo style. Yanou's production work was central to Cascada's debut album Everytime We Touch, released in 2005, where he co-produced the entire project with DJ Manian and received songwriting credits on key singles like "Miracle," while the title track was a cover of Maggie Reilly's 1992 song "Everytime We Touch." The album's high-energy arrangements, blending pulsating basslines and Horler's dynamic vocals, helped propel Cascada to international prominence, selling millions worldwide and influencing the Eurodance genre's revival in the mid-2000s. For the follow-up album Perfect Day in 2007, Yanou again co-produced all tracks with DJ Manian and produced hits including "," a cover of the track that became one of Cascada's biggest singles. This era marked Cascada's breakthrough in the U.S., with "Everytime We Touch" reaching No. 10 on the and the group earning multiple chart entries, underscoring Yanou's role in crafting accessible, club-ready anthems that bridged European dance trends with global pop appeal. Yanou continued his contributions through the late and into the , co-producing albums like Evacuate the Dancefloor (2009) and Original Me (2011), where he earned songwriting credits on chart-toppers such as "Evacuate the Dancefloor" and maintained the group's formula of infectious hooks and layered electronic production. Cascada's success during this period, including over 30 million records sold globally, highlighted Yanou's impact on popularizing Eurodance's energetic, vocal-driven format across continents.

Later projects

Following the peak of Cascada's success in the late , Yanou transitioned toward more independent productions and collaborations, focusing on and elements while maintaining his signature melodic style. In 2009, he released the solo single "Brighter Day" on Zooland Records, featuring uplifting and electro influences that marked an early shift from group-oriented work. This track, accompanied by remixes, highlighted his continued exploration of dance genres outside Cascada's core sound. Yanou co-founded the trance project Tune Up! with DJ Manian (Manuel Reuter) in the mid-2000s, and the duo persisted with releases into the 2020s, emphasizing high-energy trance tracks. Their collaboration extended to the 2022 single "Raver's Fantasy" with KYANU, issued on Zoo Digital—a sublabel of Zooland Records—reviving classic rave aesthetics in a modern context. Similarly, Yanou and Manian sustained the Eurodance project R.I.O., which produced albums such as Turn This Club Around (2011) and Sunshine (2011) on Zoo Digital, incorporating vocal hooks and club-oriented beats that built on their earlier hits like "Shine On." Into the 2020s, Yanou's work emphasized es and features within the and scenes, often appearing on compilations and digital platforms. Notable contributions include his "Candlelight Mix" of Cascada's "" in 2020, transforming the track into a piano-driven on Zooland Records, and the collaborative of "Light of Mystery" with Beam for Avalon 1 in 2021 on FutureBase Records, blending ethereal vocals with progressive elements. Zooland Records, established by Yanou and Manian in 2005, remains a key outlet for these efforts, alongside occasional ties to AATW for broader distribution. Active since 1997, Yanou continues producing through these channels, contributing to the enduring revival with selective singles and features as of 2025.

Discography

Solo singles

Yanou's solo singles include early releases from the early 2000s as well as later works in the mid-2000s through his independent productions on Zooland Records, showcasing his signature and influences outside of major group projects. One of his early solo efforts was "On and On" in 2002, featuring singer Do and charting at number 68 on the German Singles Chart for three weeks. This was followed by "Brighter Day" in 2003, which appeared on European dance lists. In 2006, Yanou released the EP , featuring vocalist and serving as a cover of the 1991 Kym Sims track. Released in multiple formats including vinyl and digital, the EP included the radio edit, extended mix, and various remixes such as the Bastian van Shield vs. Detire version, emphasizing uplifting melodies and club-oriented beats. In 2007, Yanou released Sun Is Shining, a reworking of Bob Marley's classic, available as a single with 15 tracks across radio mixes, Spencer & Hill edits, and Mondo versions. The release, issued on vinyl and digital platforms by Zooland Records, highlighted his ability to blend elements with contemporary production. That same year, A Girl Like You followed as an EP featuring Mark Daviz, comprising 12 tracks including original mixes and remixes like the Ozi version. Distributed digitally and on vinyl via Zooland Records, it drew from ' 1994 hit, incorporating electro- rhythms. Yanou's 2008 EP Children of the Sun marked another solo venture, with four tracks such as the radio edit and club mix, released on May 21 in on vinyl and digital formats by Zooland Records. The and electro-house tracks featured themes of unity and featured vocalist . While Yanou's solo output did not achieve widespread commercial chart success comparable to his collaborative works, these releases demonstrated his production versatility in the electronic dance genre.

Group collaborations

Yanou's early group work began with the trance project Beam & Yanou, formed in collaboration with DJ Beam (real name André Weist) in the late . Their debut single "On Y Va," released in 1997, marked their entry into the German charts, peaking at number 72 and spending eight weeks on the Official German Singles Chart. This track, produced and co-written by Yanou, featured energetic elements and remixes by artists like Sash! and Kosmonova, contributing to its club popularity. Follow-up releases included "Rainbow of Mine" in 2000, which achieved greater success by reaching number 30 on the German charts and charting for six weeks, solidifying the duo's presence in the European scene. The single's video mix and extended versions highlighted Yanou's production style, blending uplifting melodies with driving beats. Yanou's most prominent group involvement came through Cascada, the Eurodance act he co-founded in 2004 with DJ Manian (Manuel Reuter) and vocalist Natalie Horler. As co-producer and co-writer, Yanou shaped the group's sound across multiple albums, integrating his trance influences into high-energy dance tracks. The 2005 single "Everytime We Touch," a cover of the 1990s hit by Maggie Reilly, became a global breakthrough, peaking at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earning platinum certification from the RIAA for over 1,000,000 units sold. In the UK, it reached number 2 on the Official Singles Chart, while topping charts in Sweden and Ireland, with Yanou's production credited for its soaring synths and Horler's emotive vocals. Later, "Evacuate the Dancefloor" from the 2009 album of the same name, co-produced by Yanou and featuring rap verses by Carlprit, topped the UK Singles Chart and received gold certification from the BPI for sales exceeding 400,000 copies. This track, integrated into the album's hit compilation, also peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100, showcasing Yanou's role in Cascada's evolution toward more electro-house elements. In parallel, Yanou co-formed the hands-up project Tune Up! in 2000 with DJ Manian, focusing on faster-paced dance anthems aimed at audiences. Key releases under this alias included "Raver's Fantasy" in 2004, which became a staple in European club compilations for its infectious hooks and pitched vocals. Other notable tracks like "Bounce" (2005) and "Another Day" (2006) further established Tune Up!'s discography, with Yanou handling production and songwriting to emphasize high-BPM rhythms and party-oriented themes. These efforts, while more niche than Cascada's mainstream success, highlighted Yanou's versatility in group settings and contributed to Zooland Records' early catalog. Minor projects, such as occasional remixes under various aliases, rounded out his collaborative output during this period. Yanou also co-formed the act R.I.O. in 2007 with DJ Manian, producing several hits including "Shine On" in 2008, which topped the German Singles Chart. Other releases like "R.I.O." (2008) and "Animal" (2011) further showcased their electro-house and style, achieving international chart success.

Yanou's remix career began in the late , primarily within the genre, where he collaborated with producer Beam to rework tracks for various artists, infusing them with energetic builds and atmospheric elements characteristic of early European electronic music. These early efforts helped establish Yanou's reputation in underground club scenes, focusing on extending tracks for DJ sets and emphasizing melodic progressions over original versions. Key examples from this period include the "Beam & Yanou Remix" of Clubbbastards' "Shout!" (1997), which amplified the track's influences into a anthem suitable for . Similarly, the "Beam & Yanou Mix" of Encore!'s "Le Disc-Jockey" (1997), a reworking of Sash!'s "Encore Une Fois," blended and elements, contributing to its rotation in European clubs. Other notable remixes were Da Bomb's "The Original (Beam & Yanou Mix)" (1997), which heightened the original's euro- vibe with layered synths, and Full House ?'s "Full House??? (Beam & Yanou Remix)" (1997), enhancing its rhythmic drive for floors. These works, released primarily on vinyl through labels like Cologne and Electronic, exemplified Yanou's initial style of adaptation without achieving major commercial charts but gaining traction in specialist compilations and DJ mixes.
YearOriginal ArtistTrackRemix NameNotes on Impact
1997ClubbbastardsShout!Beam & Yanou RemixFeatured on club compilations; boosted scene visibility.
1997Encore!Le Disc-JockeyBeam & Yanou MixAdapted Sash! hit; popular in sets.
1997Da BombThe OriginalBeam & Yanou MixExtended for DJ use; included in early anthologies.
1997Full House ?Full House???Beam & Yanou RemixEnhanced club play; part of euro- wave.
In the mid-2000s, Yanou's remix style evolved toward and pop-infused adaptations, particularly through his "Candlelight Mix" series, which transformed high-energy tracks into piano-led s emphasizing vocal emotion and accessibility for broader audiences. This shift aligned with his work in , adapting their dance hits for radio and acoustic appeal. The " (Yanou's Candlelight Mix)" (2007), a stripped-down version of Cascada's cover of the song, highlighted Natalie Horler's vocals over gentle piano, contributing to the track's overall success as it peaked at No. 10 on the and topped charts in multiple European countries. Similarly, "Draw the Line (Yanou's Candlelight Mix)" (2009) softened Cascada's original into a melancholic , aiding the Evacuate the Dancefloor's commercial performance, which reached No. 8 on the . These remixes demonstrated Yanou's versatility, bridging club energy with pop intimacy and enhancing the tracks' crossover popularity in radio rotations.
YearOriginal ArtistTrackRemix NameNotes on Impact
2007Yanou's Candlelight MixSupported original's global chart success; acoustic version boosted emotional appeal.
2009Draw the LineYanou's Candlelight MixEnhanced album sales; featured on special editions for ballad fans.

References

  1. https://www.discogs.com/artist/43728-Yanou
  2. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/dj-sammy-yanou-ft-do-heaven/
  3. https://www.discogs.com/master/123848-Beam-Yanou-On-Y-Va
  4. https://www.discogs.com/master/122472-Yanou-Presents-Do-On-And-On
  5. https://www.discogs.com/master/122476-Yanou-Brighter-Day
  6. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rio-mn0001002407
  7. https://www.eurokdj.com/search/eurodb.php?name=Yanou
  8. https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/beam_and_yanou
  9. https://www.discogs.com/master/123850-Beam-Yanou-Rainbow-Of-Mine
  10. https://www.discogs.com/artist/12252-Beam-Yanou
  11. https://www.discogs.com/master/40753-DJ-Sammy-Yanou-Feat-Do-Heaven
  12. http://www.jimvallance.com/01-music-folder/songs-folder-may-27/pg-song-dj-sammy-heaven.html
  13. https://www.buzzjack.com/forums/topic/251745-2022-bpi-certifications/
  14. https://edm.com/features/top-10-edm-one-hit-wonders-of-all-time/
  15. https://genius.com/artists/Cascada/q/start-making-music
  16. http://eurovisionunion.com/2021/08/17/artist-profiles-cascada/
  17. https://www.discogs.com/master/24183-Cascada-Everytime-We-Touch
  18. https://www.musicvf.com/songs.php?page=artist&artist=Yanou&tab=songaswriterchartstab
  19. https://blue-art-event.com/en/artist/cascada/
  20. https://www.discogs.com/master/24182-Cascada-Perfect-Day
  21. https://www.billboard.com/music/features/cascada-everytime-we-touch-duke-basketball-anthem-1235949087/
  22. https://www.discogs.com/release/3970600-Cascada-Original-Me
  23. https://music.apple.com/us/album/brighter-day-remixes-single/333648948
  24. https://www.qobuz.com/dk-en/interpreter/r-i-o/122913
  25. https://www.discogs.com/release/19584598-Cascada-Like-the-Way-I-Do-Yanous-Candlelight-Mix
  26. https://music.apple.com/us/album/light-of-mystery-remixes/1569202651
  27. https://www.discogs.com/label/49234-Zooland-Records
  28. https://www.discogs.com/artist/14879-Yanou
  29. https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/titel-details-122472
  30. https://www.discogs.com/release/858291-Yanou-Featuring-Liz-King-Of-My-Castle-The-Remixes
  31. https://music.apple.com/us/album/king-of-my-castle-remixes-single/299693700
  32. https://www.discogs.com/master/122474-Yanou-Sun-Is-Shining
  33. https://open.spotify.com/album/0NWCtgDcnTfxFwNcXxCczX
  34. https://www.discogs.com/release/1170715-Yanou-Ft-Mark-Daviz-A-Girl-Like-You
  35. https://open.spotify.com/album/4iKVIHGbng4z9YQrDo67aS
  36. https://www.discogs.com/release/1345836-Yanou-Children-Of-The-Sun
  37. https://music.apple.com/us/album/children-of-the-sun-ep/299758731
  38. https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/titel-details-8551
  39. https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/titel-details-4133
  40. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2006-04-22/
  41. https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/titel-details-413413
  42. https://www.discogs.com/release/1516602-Clubbbastards-Shout-Remixes
  43. https://www.discogs.com/release/340126-Encore-Le-Disc-Jockey
  44. https://www.discogs.com/release/130787-Da-Bomb-The-Original
  45. https://www.discogs.com/release/1200532-Full-House-Full-House-?
  46. https://www.discogs.com/master/24153-Cascada-What-Hurts-The-Most
  47. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/chart-beat-bonus-33-72144/
  48. https://open.spotify.com/track/09SUabV9COPOP87GnpcIIo
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