Dan Mulqueen: Biography, Influences, and a Unique Handpan Style

Have you recently listened to one of Dan Mulqueen’s compositions? Want to learn more about this musician with a genuine passion for the handpan? What path led this percussion-focused artist to his instrument of choice?

After discovering Dan Mulqueen when his second album dropped in 2018, I’ve been eagerly following every new performance and release. That’s why I can paint a clear picture of this percussionist, who’s become a true reference in the global handpan community.

Take a moment to read on, and you’ll discover:

• His biography and how he discovered the handpan
• His discography
• His other projects and artistic collaborations

By the end, you’ll know the most interesting things about Dan Mulqueen, and you’ll feel closer than ever to this musician and the tracks that have already captivated thousands of listeners.

Now, let’s dive into Dan Mulqueen’s musical journey.

How did Dan Mulqueen discover the handpan?

Dan Mulqueen is an American multi-instrumentalist from New Jersey. Born in the early 1990s, he developed a passion for music at a very young age. Around the age of 10, encouraged by his music-loving father, he started playing the drums and discovered the great rock classics (Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, etc.), which fuelled his desire to become a musician. As a teenager, Dan played in several local bands, exploring a wide range of genres, from rock and metal to hip-hop, jazz, blues, Latin music, electronic, and reggae. This thirst for musical variety led him to pick up other percussion instruments and get into music production. Even back then, he loved blending influences and surprising his audience. Those early experiences gradually shaped his unique, eclectic style—one that resists traditional labels.

In 2007, Dan Mulqueen’s musical journey took a decisive turn when he discovered the handpan while watching a YouTube video by Italian pioneer Davide Swarup, specifically the track "Music for Hang." He was immediately fascinated by the mesmerising sound of this steel instrument, invented in Switzerland in 2001. Soon after, he came across "Mono Desire" by Manu Delago, another handpan virtuoso, whose performance left him speechless. Watching an artist combine rhythm, melody, bass, and percussion on a single instrument resting on their lap convinced him he’d found his instrument of choice.

From then on, Dan had only one thing on his mind: getting his own handpan. At the time, the instrument was rare and expensive, and the wait could take months. Undeterred, while he waited for his first one to arrive, the young percussionist stuck eight stickers on an old, unused cymbal to mimic the note layout and practise the hand movements unique to handpan playing. He finally got to try real Hang (first-generation handpans) toward the end of 2007, placing his hands on them for the very first time. Soon after, he ordered his first instrument from Italian maker Marco Della Ratta and received it sometime in 2008.

Despite the modest quality of this first handpan, Dan now spends hours every day honing his technique, firmly convinced that "the value of a musician takes precedence over that of the instrument." Having learned to get the best out of any drum kit or cymbal, he believes a good percussionist can make any instrument sing, even an entry-level handpan. He then focused on composing, sharing some tracks on his YouTube channel and on Bandcamp, Instagram, and Twitter, building a following along the way. You can listen to his track Sleeping just below:

What is the discography of this famous American Hang drum player?

Dan Mulqueen’s recording career perfectly reflects his artistic growth and boundless creativity. In just a few years, he self-produced and released four studio albums that were warmly welcomed by the handpan community.

• "Until I’m Ready": his first album, released in March 2014, laid the foundations for his musical universe. Entirely instrumental, it blends diverse influences, from world music to moody, understated electronic textures. One track, "Raag Bhairavi," is an explicit nod to traditional Indian music, showing just how open-minded the young artist was from the start. This album is available as a pay-what-you-want download on Dan Mulqueen’s Bandcamp page.
• "Late Night Sound": released in June 2016, this second album marked a new milestone in Dan Mulqueen’s production. The sound becomes deeper and more complex. Dan brings in other musicians from the handpan world, such as Jacob Cole (guest on "Old Bones") and singer Leanna Padalino (on "Like A War"). The 12 tracks on Late Night Sound explore nocturnal moods—sometimes melancholic, sometimes groovy—blending acoustic handpan with elements of electronic music in a polished, cohesive way. The album ends with a bonus track titled "Tricycle," a wink to "Unicycle" (which would appear two years later on the next album).
• "Handwriting": released in April 2018, this third album is undoubtedly Dan Mulqueen’s most ambitious project to date. Handwriting is a double concept album: the first disc features arranged versions of 10 original tracks (with percussion, bass, keyboards, vocals, and other additions), while the second disc presents those same tracks as solo handpan pieces, as they were originally composed. This clever concept lets listeners enjoy both the richness of the arrangements and the raw purity of solo handpan. Dan once again surrounds himself with talented collaborators, including Jeremy Diffey (bass clarinet on "Levels"), singer Leanna Padalino ("Losing Myself"), and Marion Boivin ("Stone in My Chest").
• "Real Life": the fourth album, released on 1 March 2020, is presented by the artist as the culmination of his journey. With Real Life, Dan wanted to create a strong throughline across the tracks so the album could be heard as a cohesive whole, without sacrificing the variety that defines his sound. Each track has its own personality (each could work as a standalone single) while still fitting into a larger arc that takes the listener on a true musical trip. Dan Mulqueen, who composed, performed, and produced everything himself, says he took his time refining the album: about a year and a half writing on handpan alone, followed by many more months adding electronic elements, recording under ideal conditions, and mixing it all together.

What has been the musical journey of this artist who specialises in percussion instruments?

Beyond his studio work, Dan Mulqueen has also built his reputation through live performances and collaborations with other artists. He has toured extensively as a solo artist around the world, including the United States, Europe, and Australia, helping bring the handpan to a wider audience. Among the highlights of his young career, he had the honour of sharing the stage with Shpongle during two sold-out shows at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Dan Mulqueen has also collaborated in the studio with a range of talented musicians and producers. In particular, he worked with Russian beatmaker Long Arm and the audiovisual duo Zebbler Encanti Experience, bringing the unmistakable voice of his handpan to forward-thinking electro-trip-hop tracks.

Recognised as one of the most inspiring handpan players of his generation, Dan Mulqueen also devotes part of his time to passing on his craft. He offers private online lessons as well as a comprehensive masterclass in partnership with MasterTheHandpan, the largest online school dedicated to the instrument. You can find it right here. At the same time, Dan Mulqueen helps bring the handpan to a broader audience through media appearances. He co-hosts "The Handpan Show," an international podcast launched in 2020, alongside his French counterpart David Charrier. Each episode features a guest (musician, instrument maker, etc.) and a deep dive into handpan news, culture, and the wider community.

Pick up the handpan and try to match Dan Mulqueen

At just 30-something, Dan Mulqueen has established himself as one of the ambassadors of the handpan worldwide. His four albums showcase his constant evolution, both in composition and production. With what you’ve learned in this article, you now know a lot more about the artist behind the music, and that can only deepen your connection to his work.

That said, if you want to try playing the melodies and compositions he’s created, you’ll need a quality handpan of your own. That’s exactly why I recommend Instruments du Monde. You’ll be able to choose your next instrument from dozens of models with truly impressive acoustics. Personally, I’m especially fond of this stunning 10-note model in D Kurd.

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Another player who has brilliantly blended the Hang drum with other instruments is Waagal. This French musician has the rare ability to play several sound sources at once, earning him a true one-man-band reputation. That’s what makes him one of the best handpan artists in the world today.