Washington D.C.-based duo Hàn Gắn make a fierce return with their new single ‘Monster’s Kingdom’, a brooding, high-voltage burst of indie rock and alternative edge that marks their first release since March last year. Opening with jagged guitar lines and sharp, post-punk-leaning vocals, the track channels the spirit of The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Fall, and Fugazi, while reshaping those influences into something urgent and modern.
‘Monster’s Kingdom’ arrives alongside two additional tracks: “Stilyagi,” a revitalised cut from the duo’s debut EP, and an instrumental dub version of the title track, expanding the release’s raw, immersive energy. True to their name (Vietnamese for “heal”), Hàn Gắn balance confrontation with reflection, crafting music rooted in observation and instinct. Formed by Brian Nicewander and Matthew Eng in a high-rise overlooking the Potomac and the U.S. Capitol, the project thrives at the intersection of punk urgency, post-rock atmosphere, and psychedelic texture.
–
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
Hàn Gắn: Our creative journey really began in a high-rise apartment in Washington, D.C., overlooking the Potomac River and the U.S. Capitol. That setting definitely influenced the atmosphere of our early work.
Matt: First off, it’s important to note that I don’t come from a musical family. I think I’m the first person in my immediate family to ever pick up an instrument. Like anyone else, my start came from observation. I used to go over to a friend’s house whose brother played drums in a popular high school band. I remember closing my eyes and just soaking in the muffled sound of them practicing in the room over the garage. Other than that, my introduction to the idea of actually playing music came from MTV. I loved the idea of performing, so I begged my parents for a cheap bass guitar for Christmas in seventh grade. The rest is history.
Brian: For me, it started with literal “noodling.” As a child, I had access to an old nineteen forties Art Deco piano that sat out of tune and unused. I was fascinated by the sounds it made. Eventually, I realized that if I pressed multiple keys, I could create chords, and by repeating them, I could build a rhythm. It just grew from there.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
Brian: Nineties MTV heavily shaped my early influences—specifically 120 Minutes—which played videos from bands like The Ramones, The Clash, and The Cure. Later on, I dove deep into the local Virginia hardcore punk scene and legends like Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, and King Crimson.
Matt: Since I record the drums and play the bass live, I’ve always loved multi-instrumentalists. I’m heavily influenced by Dave Grohl, especially what he did on the first Foo Fighters record. My favorite band is Genesis, and I’m a huge Phil Collins fan. Some of the drum rhythms and machines we use to build our “wall of sound” are heavily influenced by eighties-era Genesis, like Invisible Touch. From a bass perspective, my input into Hàn Gắn is shaped by Joe Lally (Fugazi), Simon Gallup (The Cure), and the incomparable Andy Rourke (The Smiths)—who I will die on the hill was a better bass player than Peter Hook. R.E.M., though, is the most complete band there ever was I always think about their albums when we’re crafting a sound.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
Matt: I remember watching the film That Thing You Do! when I was a teenager. It was transformative; I really saw myself in those characters. The pursuit of writing, recording, and playing music became all-consuming during my teenage years. But honestly, what else do you really have to do at that age?
Brian: Seeing the video for Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was a massive turning point for me. But it was discovering the local Virginia hardcore punk scene that really pushed me to dive deeper and take creating music seriously.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
Hàn Gắn: The music always comes first, and it’s always a complete collaboration.
Matt: A lot of the time, Brian will send me a melody, and I’ll sit in front of the TV watching a comfort show and noodle around on my bass until something sounds good.
Brian: I usually sit down with a keyboard or a guitar and just play until I hit something that triggers an emotional response. A song might start with a simple riff, a synth melody, a few piano keys, or even a rediscovered sample.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
Matt: Our inspiration is just what’s going on in the world right now, especially here in the U.S. Of course, it would be better if the shit we wrote about back in 2018 wasn’t still so relevant in 2026.
Brian: It starts with observation. I’m not really a “lyrics first” songwriter; the words tend to emerge organically from the emotional space the music creates.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Brian: I want our music to be a “compass” for the listener—something that inspires people to question their surroundings and reconnect with their own intuition regarding the world and their own lived experiences.
Matt: Hope, perseverance, and the belief that we are stronger together than we are separate.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
Brian: The streaming era is easily our biggest frustration. Payouts are incredibly low, and success is often dictated by “algorithmic gatekeeping.” It’s a model that heavily favors major labels and makes it difficult for independent artists to even break even.
Matt: Definitely streaming. As kids, we used to feel accomplished selling tapes and CDs out of our backpacks at school. Those were simpler times when marketing was just word of mouth. It’s hard to replicate that in our highly mediated society. More resources don’t necessarily mean more exposure.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
Brian: It’s those moments when someone connects with a song or a specific lyric and takes the time to share that experience with us. That’s the ultimate goal: creating something that truly resonates.
Matt: I love playing live. It doesn’t matter whether there are a hundred people or just one; I’m selfish in that I play for myself. Everything else is just icing on the cake.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
Brian: By following one simple rule: Do it for yourself.
Matt: We have a bit of a “hive mind” when we get going. We share common goals and are aligned in our interests and beliefs. Because of that, the music comes naturally. Whether we “evolve” with the industry or not, we stay true to ourselves and our sound.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
Hàn Gắn: More music! We are constantly in a state of creation. You can definitely expect more tracks that blend our electronic elements with our punk rock roots. Expect a full-length album sooner rather than later—and come see us play live in Washington, D.C.!
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
Hàn Gắn: Hopefully making music where we aren’t complaining about the same things we are now! We don’t define success by stream counts. Whether a song gets 1,000 or 10 million streams, we’re going to keep doing this. In five years, we see ourselves still writing and performing together, keeping our sanity and our souls intact through the act of creation.
–
