Written by Ambre Montespan - Updated on May 8, 2026
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Have you listened to a song by the duo Archer & Tripp recently? Are you wondering who these two musicians are, how they play the handpan so beautifully (along with other instruments), and how they first met?
In 2017, I discovered Archer & Tripp through their album "Trance Send," and it genuinely moved me with the emotions it stirred up. Ever since, Iâve kept an eye on their latest news and listened with pleasure to their new compositions. So in this article, Iâm going to share their story and the latest updates on Archer & Trippâs musical journey.
After reading this article, you will know:
- How this artist duo came together
- Archer & Trippâs discography
- Their latest musical news
That way, youâll get a closer look at a duo that has left its mark on the handpan world for over 10 years.
Now, letâs take a look at how Archer & Tripp came together.
How did the handpan duo Archer & Tripp come together?
Archer & Tripp is a musical duo formed by Samantha Archer (from the United Kingdom) and Jaron Tripp (from Germany), specializing in the handpan (an instrument derived from the Hang). Their story is first and foremost a "true love story through the handpan." They met at the HangoutUK 2014 festival and immediately formed a strong artistic and personal bond. Since then, theyâve been touring the world, sharing their passion for music and the handpan.
Each discovered the handpan independently before they met. Samantha Archer, then 20, played a Hang (the predecessor of the handpan) for the first time in 2010, thanks to her biological father Michael Colley, himself a musician. He sent her a video of himself playing the Hang, which immediately fascinated her. She explains that it was "something new, exciting, and inviting," in line with her classical training (piano, clarinet, singing), which gave her an innate sense of melody and improvisation.
Jaron Tripp, meanwhile, fell in love with the instrument in the summer of 2005 in Corsica. While playing the djembe on a beach, a Swiss percussionist, Beat Föllmi, introduced him to a first-generation PanArt Hang. Jaron was immediately captivated and bought his first Hang in March 2006. His musical background is very rhythm-oriented: he studied complex rhythmic structures and was a teacher of Taketina (a meditative percussion method) from 2010 to 2012. This rhythmic approach perfectly complements Samantha's melodic style.
Samantha Archer and Jaron Tripp's complementary talents naturally brought them together. Shortly after meeting in 2014, they quickly decided to form the duo Archer & Tripp, combining their skills as multi-instrumentalists. Their partnership blends Samantha's melodic sensibility with Jaron's rhythmic expertise. Together, they offer "an exciting, unique, and profound musical experience," rooted in the simplicity of the handpan yet enriched by a wide range of instrumental influences.
What is the musical style and discography of these two handpan players?
Archer & Tripp's style blends world music, acoustic trance, and polyrhythmic percussion. Centred around the handpan (formerly known as the Hang), their repertoire ranges "from acoustic trance to complex polyrhythmic compositions." Samantha brings melody and harmony with her lyrical playing, while Jaron infuses groove and rhythmic depth, creating a subtle, complementary contrast. Over the course of their albums, they also use other instruments (clarinet, folk flutes, sansula, bendir, etc.) to enrich their arrangements. Their music, while acoustic, feels universal: they draw on their travel experiences, the natural sounds around them, and the meditative power of the handpan to move the listener.
Since forming, Archer & Tripp have released several albums:
- Ko A La Ta Ki (2015): their first album, conceived and recorded in Australia. Most of the tracks were composed during outdoor journeys, "letting ourselves be guided and creating something we are proud of." Samantha says they were inspired by the people they met and the Australian wilderness, especially at the Ruah Rainforest Retreat and then in a beach house in Byron Bay, before recording in a studio near Melbourne.
- Trance Send (2017): their second album, produced in collaboration with Van Heys Studio (Germany). Every sound here comes straight from their instruments and the natural atmospheres they captured. Recorded in 2016, it blends acoustic trance and polyrhythmic grooves, showcasing their knack for crafting an organic soundscape.
- Perspectives (2020): released in January 2020, this album is truly a "musical travel journal." In 2019, the duo embarked on a three-month journey travelling light (a single pentatonic handpan, a 38 cm (15 in) bendir, a few flutes, sansula, jaw harps, etc.) through Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. From the Thai jungle to the banks of the Mekong River, then on to the California desert and studios in Israel, each setting inspired pieces ranging from structured compositions to spontaneous improvisations. The 11-track album Perspectives captures this raw, emotional authenticity with complex rhythms and haunting melodies.
Listen to their cover of "The river is flowing" in the video below:
What's the latest news from Samantha Archer and Jaron Tripp?
Since 2014, Archer & Tripp have performed numerous concerts and workshops around the world: handpan festivals, acoustic stages, and specialized studios. They continue to "captivate audiences" and share their passion through music. In 2020, they were invited to teach an online masterclass on the MasterTheHandpan platform, sharing their advanced techniques and musical vision with the global community. You can find this masterclass directly on the MasterTheHandpan website. In 2024â2025, they remain very active: concerts in Europe (notably in Germany and France), participation in international events (PanParadise Handpan Immersion, Swiss Handpan Festival, etc.), and preparation of new material. On their social media, they hint that a new album is in the works, with "beautiful songs" ready to be recorded.
Thus, the duo Archer & Tripp combines an intimate journey (meeting through their love of the handpan) with a rich musical career. Today, they remain prominent figures in the handpan scene, recognized for their captivating performances and the quality of their compositions. Their journeyâfrom the Hang in Corsica and a YouTube video to international stagesâshows both the modernity of the handpan and the universality of music as a common language.
Get inspired by meditative handpan music
Versatile thanks to the impressive number of instruments they play, the duo Archer & Tripp focuses primarily on well-being and relaxation through sound and music. As handpan specialists, you now know more about these two artists thanks to all the information revealed in this article.
To begin your own sound-based wellness journey with a handpan, youâll want a high-quality instrument that produces deep, intense vibrationsâexactly the kind that can bring the relaxation youâre looking for. For that, I recommend the Instruments du Monde online store for its generous range of well-made handpans. Just take a look at this beautiful model in rich blue tones with a touch of gold.
Click on the image below to find out more about this handpan:
A pioneer of the handpan who discovered it in its early days in 2004, take a moment to learn more about Davide Swarup, an Italian percussionist who was the first to produce an album dedicated solely to this musical instrument. He is naturally one of the greatest handpan players in the world.
