Adam Manning’s piece First Rhythms recontextualises clapsticks, First Nations rhythms, and visual art within a contemporary performance setting, guided by the Indigenous understanding that everything is alive and carries a pulse—such as the earth’s natural rhythm. By integrating traditional percussive elements with modern instrumentation, multimodal art, and a blend of improvisation and notation, First Rhythms embodies a living, breathing dialogue between sound, movement, and Country.