Primal Beginning isn’t a typical band. It’s a collective focused on big questions about what it means to be human and fully present. Their name reflects a dual interest in ancient, pre-Christian ideas and the daily practice of “beginning again”—living within a culture without being defined by its rigid structures.
The members come from very different backgrounds. Victor is a retired chemist and longtime musician who has returned to Azule many times. Shawnee, now in his eighties, considers Azule his spiritual home and views creative expression as a lifelong necessity rather than a career. Rondae, a sound healer and behavioral health nurse from Atlanta, brings a focus on health, breath, and how sound moves through the body.
Together, they create music that is mostly freeform and unstructured. Rather than worrying about perfect notes, they build meditative soundscapes designed to stir memory and emotion. It’s music meant to be felt as much as heard.
During their time at Azule, the group worked on two compositions Shawnee originally wrote in 2011. The first, Sweet Berry Times, looks back at mid-century America and how cultural conditioning shapes our identities and relationships. The second, Price on My Head, focuses on the theme of escape—personal and spiritual—while paying homage to historical figures like Leonard Peltier and the Paiute leader Wovoka.
Rondae’s influence is felt in the way the music functions as a tool for restoration. Using sustained tones and vocal work, he helps create a sonic environment that encourages emotional release. For him, music and health are inseparable.
The residency wasn’t about preparing for a performance or polishing a product. Instead, Primal Beginning used their time at Azule to return to their roots, listening closely to one another and letting sound emerge naturally.