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The Engines of Our Ingenuity 2978: Matisse's Verve | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 1:51 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Engines of Our Ingenuity Episode 2,978: Matisses Verve – “The Power of a Voice”

In the most recent installment of Houston Public Media’s Engines of Our Ingenuity podcast (episode 2,978), hosts Dr. Ayesha Patel and engineer‑turned‑musician Liam Nguyen sit down with the rising star Matisses Verve. The conversation, recorded in the studio on October 6, 2025, delves deep into the intersection of artistry, community, and the science of sound that underpins Verve’s unique musical voice.

Who Is Matisses Verve?

A native of Houston’s Fifth Ward, Matisses Verve (real name—Matisses T. Jackson) grew up listening to a blend of gospel, blues, and hip‑hop. By age 12, he was already crafting his own lyrics on a battered acoustic guitar, and by 15 he had his first local performance at the Alley Arts Center. Verve’s debut EP, Verve, dropped in 2022 and received rave reviews for its honest storytelling and inventive production.

The article notes that Verve is more than a performer; he’s a community organizer. He runs “Sonic Circles,” a free music‑workshop series that teaches underserved youth about songwriting, recording, and the business side of music. Verve’s dual roles as a creator and mentor are a recurring theme in the episode.

The Creative Process

One of the core sections of the podcast focuses on how Verve turns life into song. Patel and Nguyen ask him to walk listeners through the birth of a track. Verve explains that his process often begins with a “prompt”—a memory, a conversation, or a piece of street art. From there, he layers a chord progression on his home studio rig, using a combination of analog equipment and digital plugins that he developed himself.

He emphasizes the importance of “spontaneous experimentation” and how the scientific approach to mixing—thinking about frequency ranges, dynamic range, and psychoacoustics—helps him fine‑tune the emotional impact of a song. “You can’t just play a chord and hope the feeling lands,” he says. “You have to know how the ears react to a 100‑Hz boost versus a 10‑kHz cut.”

The article highlights a specific anecdote about his track “River,” which he wrote while kayaking on the Buffalo Bayou. The rhythmic sway of the water became the drum pattern, and the ambient noises of the bayou were incorporated into the background pads. Verve notes that such “found sound” elements are a hallmark of his work, giving his music a distinctive “environmental” texture that listeners can feel physically.

Influences and Inspirations

Verve’s influences are as varied as they are profound. He cites the classic soul of Aretha Franklin and the storytelling of Bob Dylan, but also the experimental electronics of Flying Lotus and the narrative beats of Kendrick Lamarr. “I love how each generation builds on the last,” he says. The hosts note that Verve’s ability to weave these disparate threads together is a skill that keeps his sound fresh.

A key segment of the podcast dives into how he draws on his Houston upbringing—specifically the city’s vibrant music scene and the cultural diversity that fuels it. He recounts performing at the 2023 “Houston Music Festival” and how the crowd’s reaction to his blend of acoustic and electronic sounds was a turning point in his career. The article provides a link to the festival’s official page, where listeners can view footage of Verve’s performance.

The Role of Science in Art

Engines of Our Ingenuity is built on the premise that every creative endeavor is, at its core, a form of innovation. Verve’s conversation with Patel and Nguyen illustrates this philosophy vividly. He speaks about the acoustic science behind the soundstage in his home studio, describing how the room’s acoustic treatment—bass traps, diffusers, and reflective panels—creates the “sweet spot” for recording.

Verve’s engineering knowledge also extends to his production technique: he uses side‑chain compression to make his vocal lines breathe through the mix, a trick borrowed from EDM producers. “The science of compression is just a tool,” he says, “but when used thoughtfully it can elevate the emotional message of a song.”

The hosts ask him how this knowledge has helped him solve practical problems—such as dealing with noise pollution in his Houston apartment. Verve explains that he has built a portable “sound‑masking kit” that he uses on the road. “It’s a small, 12‑inch speaker system that plays low‑frequency hum to mask traffic noise,” he says, and the article links to a video tutorial on how to build your own kit.

Community Impact and Future Projects

A major takeaway from the episode is Verve’s commitment to using music as a tool for empowerment. His “Sonic Circles” workshops have reached over 200 youth since 2021, according to the article, and he’s partnered with the Houston Public Library to host a free songwriting series. The conversation touches on the upcoming release of his sophomore album, Pulse, slated for March 2026. In a preview of the new work, Verve says he wants to explore the theme of “heartbeat as a metaphor for resilience.”

Patel and Nguyen end the show by inviting listeners to join Verve’s Patreon—an avenue for fans to support his community projects—and to check out his latest single on Spotify. The article includes direct links: a Spotify playlist for Verve, a Patreon page, and a link to his Bandcamp for high‑resolution downloads.

Final Thoughts

Episode 2,978 of Engines of Our Ingenuity offers a compelling snapshot of an artist who blends the rigors of science with the pulse of creativity. By dissecting Verve’s creative workflow, highlighting his community work, and examining how acoustic science informs his music, the podcast underscores the show’s mission: to illuminate how everyday “engines”—whether a mixing console or a heart—power our collective ingenuity.

Listeners can replay the full episode on the Houston Public Media website, where the host also includes a downloadable transcript for accessibility. For those who want to dive deeper, the article links to Verve’s official website, a YouTube video of his River performance, and a set of detailed tutorials on building a sound‑masking kit. Whether you’re a musician, a curious science enthusiast, or simply a fan of great storytelling, this episode is a must‑listen.