Cascada

Cascada is a German Eurodance group most famous for their hit singles "Everytime We Touch" (which won them a World Music Award) and "What Hurts The Most". Cascada consists of singer Natalie Horler, and producers DJ Manian and Yanou.

Music career

Early Years (2004-2005)

When Natalie Horler was 17, she was doing studio work for various DJs. Eventually; she met Yann Pfeiffer (stagename Yanou) and Manuel Reuter (stagename DJ Manian). Originally, they released music under the name Cascade, but due to another artist with a similar name threatening a suit, they changed it to Cascada. Under Andorfine Records, they produced their debut and hit single, "Miracle", and its follow-up, "Bad Boy", in Germany. This caught the attention of American dance label, Robbins Entertainment. They negotiated a contract and "Miracle" was released in 2004. However, it did not attract much attention, so Cascada offered them "Everytime We Touch".

Everytime We Touch (2005-2007)

Cascada experienced mainstream success in the United Kingdom and the United States almost a year after releasing their second American single, "Everytime We Touch", which interpolates the chorus of a 1992 Maggie Reilly song of the same name. The song gained platinum and gold certifications across the globe, being certified platinum by the RIAA. Soon after the popularity of the single skyrocketed, an album was quickly recorded and released (in a matter of months), and a music video for "Everytime We Touch" was also distributed for promotion. For these reasons, the debut album maintains a very similar formula throughout, to the extent of near-identical tempo and beats.

In all, eight singles were released from the album, four of which have been released in the United Kingdom; "Everytime We Touch", "Truly Madly Deeply" (originally by Savage Garden),"Miracle" and "A Neverending Dream" all of which gained top 10 status apart from "A Neverending Dream", which charted at #46. Their album Everytime We Touch has experienced success in the UK Album chart where it remained up in the top forty for twenty-four weeks, peaking at #2. The album experienced success on the U.S. charts as well. The success of the album gained them two World Music Award nominations, winning them World's Best-Selling German Artist.

Perfect Day (2007-2008)

Natalie Horler first announced that Cascada were working on their second album during a Japanese interview, which was posted on their blog on MySpace. There are a few cover songs on the album, most notably Avril Lavigne's "Sk8er Boi", P!nk's "Just Like A Pill", Patti Smith's "Because the Night" and the Jeffrey Steele song "What Hurts the Most", as well as two tracks, "Endless Summer" and "I Will Believe It" that were previously recorded by Natalie Horler and DJ Manian under the Siria name. However, the U.S. release replaced the Siria songs, P!nk, and Avril Lavigne covers with three newer tracks, because they did not have the North American Rights. Two of these songs were "Faded", a cover of a Kate DeAraugo song, and "Holiday", a cover of a song recorded earlier by such different artists as Venke Knutson, Nylon, and Jenny May. The sophomore effort was released at the end of 2007 in the UK, and several parts of Northern Europe. Perfect Day was released to the remaining markets, in the first quarter of 2008, with the U.S. release being the last. Natalie, also, stated in a French Interview, before the release, that she would take a hand in writing parts of the album. However, none of the final tracks on the album were written by her.

The worldwide lead single, "What Hurts the Most", was released in late 2007 and early 2008, along with its B-side, a cover of Wham!'s "Last Christmas". The single had high success, reaching the top tier in most countries. The U.K. and German follow-up to "What Hurts the Most", is "What Do You Want From Me?", originally thought to be called "Tell Me Why".The third release from the album will be "Because The Night". The video was officially released on YouTube on May 28, 2008. The single will be released through out Europe towards the end of July. A limited bonus edition of the second album featuring the songs that are included on the American version was released in Germany in July 2008.

On June 30, 2008, it was announced that the second single to be released in America will be "Faded" which appears only on the American version of Perfect Day.

On July 28, 2008, Natalie performed "Because the Night", live on the UK's Breakfast Show GMTV.
Also, "Because the Night" became available as a digital download on this date with the physical release being released on August 4, 2008.

During August "Faded" first entered the Lithuania Singles Chart at 29..

The song "Holiday" (which is only available on the U.S. edition of Perfect Day) then leaked onto the Lithuania Airplay Chart and peaked at 24.

The next (and 5th) single to be released off the album is believed to be "Perfect Day", although no confirmation has been made yet.

In the UK, a Plantinum edition of Perfect Day will be released on October 20 2008, which features the American tracks plus a DVD with live performances from Clubland Live 2008, Natalie's favourite Cascada music videos, an exlcusive interview with Natalie, photo gallery and an accoustic performance of "Another You" in the studio with Yanou on the piano.

Third Album (2008-present)

On April 10, 2008, Natalie announced on her official blog, that work on the third album will soon commence. On her Radio 1 show, Jo Whiley announced that Coldplay’s Chris Martin will work with Cascada. In a Q&A session with Natalie Horler, she said that she did not know where the rumour started and that it was false.

Discography

Albums

2006: Everytime We Touch
2007: Perfect Day

Number-one singles

For a full Cascada singles discography and chart positions, go to Cascada discography.

Year	Title	Chart positions												Album
Year	Title	U.S. ^Hot100	U.S. ^{Dance Airplay}	AU	NED	UK	FIN	FRA	GER	IRE	SWE	ISR	UWC	Album
2004	"Miracle"	106	8	24	6	8	—	1	32	4	10	2	—	Everytime We Touch
2005	"Everytime We Touch"	10	1	13	10	2	—	2	5	1	1	1	29
2006	"Truly Madly Deeply"	—	14	22	25	4	16	—	26	3	11	6	47
2007	"What Hurts The Most"	52	1	3	23	10	18	2	9	6	5	5	18	Perfect Day
Total number-one hits		0	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	1	0

Awards and Nominations

	Award Show	Award	Title
2006	International Dance Music Awards	Won Best New Dance Artist Solo
		Nominated Best High Energy/Euro Track	"Everytime We Touch"
	Napster Awards	Won Most-Played Dance/Electronic Recording	"Everytime We Touch"
2007	World Music Awards	Nominated World's Best Selling Female Pop Artist
		Won Best-Selling German Artist Award
2008	European Border Breakers Awards	Won Best European Border Breaker- Germany	Everytime We Touch
	International Dance Music Awards	Nominated Best High Energy/ Euro Track	"Truly, Madly, Deeply"
		Nominated Best Dance Artist Solo

Television appearances

GMTV (2 episodes, ... December 2007 and 28 July 2008, 2007-2008) .... Themselves and Musical Guests
World Music Awards 2007 (2007) (TV) .... Themselves
Bingolotto (1 episode, 29 October 2006, 2006) .... Themselves and Musical Guests

Tours

Cascada had their first UK tour in September to October 2007 called the 'Everytime We Touch Tour' and it also featured dance group Ultrabeat as the support act. The tour ran for 10 nights.

In March 2008 Cascada was headlining the Clubland Night of Your Life tour. The tour ran for 7 nights and featured many other dance acts.

In November 2008 Cascada will have their 2nd UK tour called the 'Perfect Day Tour' which will run for 10 nights. They will have Drum Connection and DJ Ironik as support acts.