Bordergrass Alliance
About
The Bordergrass Alliance is a powerhouse ensemble featuring some of the finest bluegrass musicians in the Pacific Northwest, drawing talent from both sides of the Canada-USA border. United by a shared love for traditional bluegrass, this group delivers hard-driving instrumentals, soaring harmonies, and high-energy performances that bring classic bluegrass standards to life.
With deep roots in the region’s thriving bluegrass scene, the Bordergrass Alliance blends decades of experience on festival stages, concert halls, and jam circles across North America. Each member contributes a distinct style and mastery of their instrument, from blazing-fast banjo and mandolin picking to dynamic bass lines and crisp, driving guitar. Their performances honor the timeless sound of bluegrass while capturing the raw energy and spontaneity that make the genre so enduring.
Whether performing at festivals, concert venues, or intimate listening rooms, the Bordergrass Alliance delivers an authentic bluegrass experience that celebrates the rich traditions of the music. With a deep respect for the classics and an undeniable chemistry on stage, this band is a must-see for bluegrass fans on both sides of the border.
Band Members
Bordergrass Alliance members all play professionally in other projects. This is a bluegrass supergroup that comes together on ocasion to play face melting, hard driving straight up bluegrass shows. Say hello so some Bordergrass members.
Kian Dye
(Mandolin, Fiddle)
Kian grew up immersed in the bluegrass festival scene on the West Coast, first picking up the fiddle at age six and later mastering the guitar and mandolin. He honed his craft at festivals and fiddle camps before performing in numerous bands throughout his teens and early 20s in Portland, Oregon. After moving to Bellingham, Washington, he founded Virginia Rail and produced their self-titled debut album in 2022. His lifelong dedication to the genre, combined with award-winning mandolin skills and vibrant fiddle playing, infuses the band’s performances with energy and authenticity
Mark Kilianski
Mark Kilianski is a guitar flatpicker, banjo player, and singer songwriter, with home bases in Nashville, New Jersey, and Vancouver, BC. But most of the time you’ll find him on the road with Americana/Old Time duo Golden Shoals. In his formative years, Mark immersed himself in various styles of guitar music including classic rock, jazz, classical, and metal. While pursuing a degree in Jazz Composition at Berklee College of Music, he started meeting bluegrass and celtic fiddlers and took a stylistic left turn, falling in love with folk music’s raw aesthetic and ethos of anywhere/anytime jamming. This diverse musical background informs Mark’s unique sound and approach to traditional music and songwriting. Throughout it all, Mark pays homage to the old timers of American roots music, with his own personal reverence and humor.
Chris Baxter
(Banjo, Mandolin)
Chris Baxter is a talented multi-instrumentalist and songwriter known for his energetic and rhythm-forward approach to bluegrass music. As a key member of the band Under the Rocks, Chris plays both banjo and mandolin, infusing their sound with his unique percussive style. Starting his musical journey as a drummer, Chris’s innovative playing and writing set him apart in the contemporary bluegrass scene.
Under the Rocks has toured North America, captivating audiences at major festival stages across Canada and the western USA. The band has released two albums, garnering worldwide attention and acclaim. Chris’s contributions to the band highlight his exceptional musicianship and creativity, making him a standout figure in the world of bluegrass music.
Other Musicians not listed above may be a part of the Bordergrass Alliance at various shows.
The band changes sometimes depending on availabilty of the members.
It will always be a SUPER GROUP!
Booking
For all booking inquires please email: