Llanas finds the perks in going solo

“I did have mixed feelings about it,” he says during a recent phone interview. “But I felt like I had to do it. I’m happy going out on my own and am enjoying not having to compromise what I’m writing about.”

Llanas co-founded The BoDeans in 1985 with friend – and former Placitas resident – Kurt Neumann. The duo were the last remaining original members until Llanas’ departure.

The BoDeans found success in the late 1980s and well into the 1990s. Their biggest single was “Closer To Free,” which was featured as the theme song to the TV drama “Party of Five.”

The band also found a friend in music producer T Bone Burnett, who worked with it on some music.

Llanas is touring in support of his solo album “4 a.m.”

He admits that going solo was a great thing, but it did take time to adjust.

“I’ve been part of a band for so long, that I realized at one point that I was alone on stage,” he says. “That felt like a lot of pressure but it’s been really nice to be the only one responsible for what I’m doing. I have full creative control and I’m enjoying it.”

While writing material for his album, Llanas says it was fulfilling to see an idea go all the way through the writing process.

“It did take a long time for me to write because I wanted it all to represent what I’ve been through,” he says. “Getting the right words to fit into a song was difficult and I’m proud of what I’ve released.”

Llanas says he’s very solitary about his writing.

“Usually I just pick up a guitar and play out a song,” he says. “I’ll record myself and listen back to the song. At that point, I’ll rewrite sections of it, but it’s basically me doing it on my own.”

Llanas says music has always been a driving force for him since he was young.

“I was a music lover and as I was growing up, I didn’t even know you could do this for a living,” he says. “Until I met Kurt. He was already playing in bands and he was serious about it. It was then that I realized that I had found someone who gets me. We had a run of more than 25 years together and it was great but it did come to an end.”

Llanas says his show in Santa Fe will be a stripped-down affair.

“I’m not traveling with a band on this tour, so I’ll be re-arranging some songs to fit the set,” he says. “Of course, there will be some BoDeans songs because my fans want that. There might even be a version of ‘Closer to Free.’ The set will depend on how the crowd is feeling.”

Sam Llanas
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1
WHERE: Sol at Santa Fe Brewing, 37 Fire Place, Santa Fe
HOW MUCH: $15-$20 at the door