Episode 20: The Cosmic Silence

​"It’s such a cosmic silence that I love in the middle of the night."

​In this milestone 20th episode, Walter IV (P.O.P.) records under the glow of a full moon and a clear, starry void to explore the profound connection between stillness and the creative spirit. After a draining week of "unnecessary meetings" and the grind of the day job, Walter shares how a rare, deep restorative sleep—tracked and verified—acted as a total rebirth for his mental and physical health.

​In this "calm flow state," the absence of sound became a canvas. Immersed in an atmosphere that felt like the dead silence of noise-canceling headphones, Walter describes becoming one with the beautiful void. This episode is a meditation on the "recipe" for creativity: a mix of cool night air, crisp atmosphere, and the essential foundation of rest. From the growth of his twin tomato plants to the literal "remastering" of his life’s work, join P.O.P. as he discusses the power of finishing what you start and preparing to harvest the seeds planted years ago.

​Key Highlights:

The Recipe for Creation: Why the middle of the night is the ultimate lab for writers and composers.

The Foundation of Sleep: Analyzing the "85 score" and the role of deep sleep in artistic productivity.

Spring Growth: A look at upcoming projects, from animation and new logos to the remastering of his first CD.

​The Beautiful Void: Finding clarity in the "cosmic ocean" where light pollution is minimal and inspiration is infinite.

In this episode, recorded under the light of a clear April moon, Walter reflects on the transition into the second quarter of 2026 and the creative momentum building in his "sanctuary." He dives into the symbiotic relationship between his artistic vision and AI—his "left-brain" collaborator—which has freed him to reach new levels of productivity with projects like The Silicon and The Soul Sessions. From saluting the astronauts of the latest lunar mission to announcing the 20th-anniversary remaster of his live album, The Truth is the Sun, Walter shares a candid look at balancing a stable professional life with the uncompromised joy of creation. It is an episode about finding peace in the ambiance of the early morning, pushing boundaries, and the ultimate dream of a life sustained entirely by art.

Meditative March Moon: The Rooftop Sessions

​Step onto the rooftop for an immersive, one-take journey through the transition of the seasons. Recorded under the glow of the March moon, this session explores the space between a harsh winter and the burgeoning momentum of spring.

​In this episode, we dive into the "Moonlight Mastermind" workflow, the resilience required to stay prolific, and the evolving symbiosis of the Silicon and Soul philosophy. It’s an intimate reflection on growth, the City of Creatives community, and the power of finding clarity in the quiet hours of the night.

​Designed as a read-and-listen immersive experience, this session invites you to find your own "Soul Ascension" as we map out the blueprint for what's next.

​Writer. Composer. Producer. Walter P.O.P. Matthews IV.

Episode 17 is a recorded walk journal where I figure out in real time how to get a better outdoor recording with my new mic Rhode Wireless Me. I realized two major things I learned. Project my voice and walk on smoother surfaces. Once my breath and my footsteps found a harmony with my Outdoor Canvas the poetry flowed organically. This was the first Monday of Spring Forward and there was a cool crisp smell in the air as I moved intentionally in the spirit of progression.

Walter P.o.p. Matthews IV

This episode I go through the multiple create brands underneath the umbrella of P.O.P. PRESENTS. My focus has been loving and investing in my craft.

P.o.p.

I decided to do a podcast doing a mic check on my Rode Wireless ME while I was in bed, under the covers looking at a projected full moon while the real full was outside but it was too cold to go out there. I was pleased with the quality of the sound and I liked my spontaneous streams of thought.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think.

You are listening to P.o.p. Presents. And I'm P.O.P. Also known as Walter IV. Happy New Year! Happy 2026! We're here, and we made it.

We have crossed the other side y'all and I'm so. Grateful thankful! And. I just praise God for being able to be here. Have breath and have a heartbeat.

I'm I'm excited. I'm energized. I'm ready. You know, even though I'm gonna take it easy today and just relax and rest, and probably will go on a walk. don't know about you all, but I'm ready to go to work.

Walter P.o.p. Matthews IV

What is a Sonic Painting?

A Sonic Painting is when I realized that my voice is an instrument. An instrument like a guitar, a saxophone. Or even a paintbrush. The Sonic painting is my podcast. My podcast is the sound of a writer.

I used to rap, recite spoken word and even sing and play guitar. Now I'm in the season of mindful monologues with music. This is an organic progression of where life and art has taken my pen and my voice. I hope you all enjoy it , leave a comment and I hope that this episode brings you inspiration and a good vibration.

Walter P.o.p. Matthews IV