The Third Rails

The Third Rails is a band that started with a simple, shared passion between two people: pianist Dave Gould and guitarist Andre Wakkerman. Studying at The New School in 2021, and coming out of the strangeness of the pandemic, they found themselves facing a city where traditional venues were slow to open up. For them, there was only one choice for playing music: the parks. The band’s true origin story is a tale of shelping gear to Washington Square Park, where they began busking just for the pure joy of it. Those early sessions were beautiful—a raw, immediate connection with crowds who were just as eager to gather, listen, and feel alive again. That energy is woven into the DNA of The Third Rails. It's why our sound is often described as a “giant melting pot,” that perfectly mirrors the complexity and excitement of the city we love and represent. Dave and Andre's music is deeply rooted in this experience. Our originals, which we sometimes perform at local venues, shed light on the many faults and issues of the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority and the persistent realities of living in a big city. However, it was our versatility honed on the street that quickly translated into private event work. The magnetic, high-energy performances we delivered in the park proved to be the perfect fit for weddings, corporate functions, and private parties throughout the NYC area. This transition from busking duo to professional event band led to the development of our greatest strength: our network. As New School graduates and musicians active in the broader NYC scene, Dave and Andre have spent years fostering relationships with incredible, professional musicians— in addition to our dedicated drummer and bassist, we know horn players, vocalists, and more. The Third Rails is built around this collaborative spirit. When you book us, you are booking the two people who started it all, with the power to custom-build the perfect band for your specific event. Dave and Andre act as your musical directors, ensuring you get the exact right instrumentation and size. Whether you need an intimate trio playing cocktail hour covers or a full-scale, seven-piece party band to keep the dance floor packed all night, we can deliver. We specialize in mastering covers across decades and genres, pop, rock, blues, soul, jazz, you name it. We are dedicated to making your celebration an unforgettable night.