In-Between Times, the latest album from Ernesto J. Ponce, is a sonic journey that draws a deep, soulful line back to the singer and multi-instrumentalist’s blues roots. On this album, Ponce revisits old favorites from his catalog and unveils fresh material, all held together by the resonant hum of electric lap steel guitar.
But In-Between Times is more than just a blues record—it highlights a thoughtful approach to production. Ponce’s deft touch behind the board takes center stage as much as his musicianship, crafting a sound that feels expansive rather than sparse. The layers in his arrangements are intricate, yet spacious, creating a sonic landscape that invites the listener to wander and explore. While his approach might lean into the atmospheric, the blues remains the foundation. Classic blues rhythms and melodies still pulse beneath, shaping and grounding the larger, more complex soundscapes.
“I think most of the songs I do are derived from the blues in some sense,” Ponce explains. “Some lean more toward soul, especially with the falsetto vocals, but there’s always a blues sensibility. I grew up playing sax, and that still shapes the way I approach music—even when I’m playing guitar.”
What sets In-Between Times apart, though, is Ponce’s bold vocal play. By shifting between lower-range vocals and soaring falsetto, often layering them in unexpected ways, he adds a unique texture to his sound. His production techniques, more commonly associated with indie rock, allow him to stretch the boundaries of the genre while still paying homage to its blues roots. In doing so, he creates an album that both challenges and celebrates tradition.