From Havelberg to the Charts – The Roots of Annett Louisan
Annett Louisan is one of the most renowned voices in the German music scene. Her journey led her from Havelberg and Schönhausen (Elbe) to the grand stages of the country. Her roots continue to shape her – musically and personally.
We take a look at the artist’s background, her childhood in the Havelberg region, and how this time influenced her career.
Childhood in Havelberg and Schönhausen
Annett Louisan was born on April 2, 1977 in Havelberg. Her birth name is Annett Päge.
Our town Havelberg was the place of her birth. She grew up in the southern village of Schönhausen (Elbe), a small community in what was then the Havelberg district, where she lived with her mother and grandparents. Her grandmother Louise played a special role in her life. In her honor, Annett later chose the stage name “Louisan.”
Her childhood in Schönhausen was marked by close family ties, rural tranquility, and the challenges of life in the GDR. Annett often recalls this time in interviews: the wide fields, quiet village life, and the sense of security that her upbringing provided. Music was already a companion early on, but life in the Altmark was initially defined by simplicity and groundedness.
From Havelberg to Hamburg – a major turning point
In 1989, shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Annett moved to Hamburg with her mother. She was just twelve years old. The transition from the rural Altmark region to the big city was a profound experience. The new surroundings, urban diversity, and opportunities in Hamburg opened new horizons for her. Yet the memories of Schönhausen and Havelberg remained formative.
In Hamburg, Annett began studying painting at an art college after completing school. To finance her studies, she worked as a studio musician, providing background vocals for pop songs and commercial jingles. Even then, her exceptional voice and clear articulation stood out.
Even in the big city, she stayed true to her roots, as she later emphasized:
“I never forgot where I came from. The stories from Schönhausen and the Altmark landscape are part of me and my music.”
Musical breakthrough and return to her roots
Annett Louisan’s big breakthrough came in 2004 with her debut album “Bohème” and the single “Das Spiel.”
The album became one of the fastest-selling debut albums in German music history, reaching gold and platinum status within a few weeks. With her delicate, distinctive voice and ironically playful lyrics, she captured the hearts of the audience.
In interviews and lyrics, Annett Louisan repeatedly lets her origins shine through. The rural vastness, the quiet life in Schönhausen, and the experiences from her childhood flow into her music.
Homeland love: “Land that’s flat and river that’s wide”
She herself says that she often draws on stories from her homeland in her art – the “land that’s flat and the river that’s wide.” These images and memories give her songs a special authenticity and depth.
The importance of home for her art
Annett Louisan is a prime example of how formative one’s roots can be for an artistic career. The experiences from Havelberg and Schönhausen have significantly shaped not only her personality but also her music. Her rural upbringing, growing up in a small community, and close ties to family and nature are reflected in many of her songs.
Even though she now lives in Hamburg and performs on major stages, her connection to the Elbe-Havel region remains strong. On social media and in interviews, she speaks fondly of her childhood and the people who shaped her. Her homeland is a retreat, a source of inspiration, and an important part of her identity.
Commitment and versatility
Besides her music career, Annett Louisan is socially committed, serving as an ambassador for Fairtrade and for the German José Carreras Leukemia Foundation. Her versatility is evident in her appearances on TV shows like “Sing meinen Song – Das Tauschkonzert” and “The Masked Singer.”
Despite all her success and accolades – including the Echo Pop, Goldene Stimmgabel, and DIVA Award – she has remained grounded and often emphasizes the importance of family support and the values instilled during her childhood.
Latest music video in duet with Heinz Rudolf Kunze
More info and tour dates ► www.annettlouisan.de.
Just hours after publication, I was approached in Havelberg about this “wonderful article.”
One person pointed out that Annett lived in Schönhausen (as written above), but that she often and gladly visited her grandmother — who lived in Havelberg.
With a bit of luck, we’ll be reading more about that second detail here soon — or even earlier on our social media channels.