Yan is the lead singer in English rock band British Sea Power, and was the main songwriter on their first two albums, whilst on the third, entitled Do You Like Rock Music, vocal duties are divided equally with bandmate Hamilton and Yan has written just a few of the tracks.

He also plays guitar on some songs, as well as bass on most of the ones Hamilton sings.

Yan along with BSP's drummer Wood helped design some of the early album artwork, including the sleeve for The Decline of British Sea Power and its singles, which were based on old book covers.