Dave Alvin's The Third Mind Brings Psychedelic Jam to Moe's Alley

Guitarist's new band blends psychedelic folk and improvisational jams

Mar. 18, 2026 at 4:48am

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Guitarist Dave Alvin is bringing his newest band, The Third Mind, to Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz. The psychedelic folk jam band features an improvisational, mind-bending sound that Alvin says he doesn't even know 83% of the time what's going to happen on stage. The band includes members from groups like Camper Van Beethoven, Jesse Sykes and The Sweeter Hereafter, and Counting Crows.

Why it matters

Alvin's new project is a throwback to the freewheeling, psychedelic jam band days of the 1960s, providing a welcome relief for fans of that era's improvisational music. The Third Mind's live shows are described as thrilling adventures where the audience never knows what's coming next, in contrast to many contemporary rock acts that rely heavily on programmed lighting and staging.

The details

The Third Mind was formed in 2020 by Alvin and bassist Victor Krummenacher, who had discussed the idea of creating an album using the free-form techniques pioneered by jazz great Miles Davis, with no rehearsals and no written parts. The band also includes singer Jesse Sykes, drummer Michael Jerome, and touring guitarist Mark Karan. Guitarist David Immerglück plays on the band's studio recordings.

  • The Third Mind will be performing at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz this week.

The players

Dave Alvin

Guitarist and singer-songwriter who previously played with the roots-rock band The Blasters, the alternative band X, and the country-rock band The Knitters.

The Third Mind

Alvin's new psychedelic folk jam band that blends improvisational, mind-bending sounds.

Victor Krummenacher

Bassist who has played with Camper Van Beethoven, Monks of Doom, and Eyelids.

Jesse Sykes

Singer who performs with her Seattle-based group Jesse Sykes and The Sweeter Hereafter.

Michael Jerome

Drummer who has played with Richard Thompson, Better Than Ezra, and John Cale.

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What they’re saying

“You can't go on autopilot, you know. In The Third Mind you have five people up there and you don't know where they are going to take you. That keeps the band from going, 'Oh, God, I don't want to play this song again.'”

— Dave Alvin, Guitarist

“Victor and I started discussing this idea around the year 2000. But it really kind of boils down to finding people who were into the idea of no rehearsal and going in without any idea of what you're going to play. A lot of guys aren't into that.”

— Dave Alvin, Guitarist

“Then as far as the vocalist, I had known Jesse since the late 90s. I was a big fan of her approach to singing because it was so unique. Each word gets highlighted. Like each word's under a microscope when she sings. If we would have had a more, let's say, traditional kind of vocalist, it would have been a more traditional kind of band.”

— Dave Alvin, Guitarist

What’s next

The Third Mind will be performing at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz again in the coming weeks, providing more opportunities for fans to experience their improvisational psychedelic folk jams.

The takeaway

Dave Alvin's new project, The Third Mind, harks back to the freewheeling, spontaneous spirit of 1960s psychedelic jam bands, offering a refreshing alternative to the highly programmed and predictable nature of much contemporary rock music. The band's live shows promise an unpredictable, mind-expanding adventure for audiences.