Dave Alvin, a respected member of the roots rock and Americana community, shows off a different side of his creative imagination with the Third Mind, a studio-based project whose music is a spontaneous mix of rock, blues, psychedelia, jazz, and improvisational elements. The project made its debut with 2020's The Third Mind, an album that came from Alvin's desire to experiment with unusual methods of performing and recording music, creating a set that was challenging, exciting, and languid all at once. Lightning struck twice when the group returned to the studio to cut another improv session released on 2023's The Third Mind 2, and inspired moments from three concert performances were compiled on 2025's Live Mind.