It Started as a Trio

No Sailor is known for their heartfelt storytelling, lush string arrangements, and warm, intimate sound. Born in the winding streets of Ljubljana, Slovenia, the project began as a trio when singer-songwriter Kieran Garvey met English expat Lloyd Betsworth, and violinist Jelena Ždrale. What started as casual songwriting sessions quickly evolved into something deeper, during one of the most turbulent periods of Kieran’s life.

“I was going through an intense breakup with the woman I had moved overseas to be with. We were young, had recently gotten married, and then discovered in less than a year that we wanted different things from life. So everything was up in the air for me, but knowing I’d found something truly special with my band, who believed in me—I chose to stay.”

The emotional intensity of that time became fuel for the music. Songs poured out as Kieran processed heartbreak, isolation, and reinvention in a foreign country where his support network was nearly nonexistent. The result is a collection of deeply personal and cathartic tracks that blend vulnerability with quiet resilience.

Originally performing as a trio with upright bass, violin, acoustic guitar, and vocals, No Sailor honed their sound through intimate gigs in cafes, bars, and on the streets of Ljubljana. They later expanded the lineup with vocalist Sara Being/Ines Polončič for lush vocal harmonies, and classical pianist Urban Grabenšek, who joined after a standout impromptu performance at their local venue. Drummer Keaton Thandi rounded out the band after Kieran met him back home in Philadelphia; the drums were later tracked in Fishtown, adding the final rhythmic finesse the songs needed.

The band’s self-funded, multi-year recording process spanned continents—from sessions in Slovenia to final touches in Glasgow with producer Paul Savage—culminating in a rich, layered debut album that captures both the ache of starting over and the freedom found in new beginnings.

“Everything was full of ups and downs,” Kieran reflects. “I felt terribly alone and alien as a foreigner, and yet wonderfully free too. The songwriting process however was my constant, and the music we were making was so rewarding it softened the sting of everything else in my life.”

With evocative lyrics, dynamic instrumentation, and a sound that feels both timeless and contemporary, No Sailor delivers folk songs with emotional depth and quiet power. Their debut album Anchor Broken Free is set for release in spring 2026.

Currently, the band has been building a strong presence on the East Coast, playing regularly in New York City, Philadelphia, and Long Island. They have made a home for themselves at beloved venues such as The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, and are keeping the momentum high by releasing a series of singles from the album ahead of the full release — each accompanied by a music video or lyric video.