Living Space is an Indie Pop-Rock band who hails from the San Francisco Bay Area. This 4-Piece band writes, performs, and records an earnest brand of music. Their genre-bending style draws from 80's and 90's British Rock, with traces of earlier American folk and soul music of the 60's and 70's. 'We sound like a curious mix of The Beatles, Morrissey, Paul Simon, and Stevie Wonder,' says vocalist/guitarist Coop R. Fransis. Other influences include Radiohead, Weezer, Gillian Welch, Beck, U2, Neil Finn, Jeff Buckley, Nina Simone, Duke Ellington, as well as local musicians Bart Davenport, Beulah, and Green Day. A few college friends, who spent the next two years writing eclectic songs and learning to play their instruments, first formed the original line-up in 1995. After a couple of years of booking and playing local shows to enthusiastic crowds, Living Space released their first full length CD, 'Next 11 Exits,' earning a favorable review in the music publication BAM Magazine. 'With tinges of bands such as Toad the Wet Sprocket, Alphaville, the Boomtown Rats and the Uptones in their collective consciousness, these four gents should have no problem finding teens to swoon over their sensitive souls.' - BAM Magazine The band joined ASCAP and began a publishing company, Dark Matters Productions. 'Next 11 Exits' showed an optimistic young band experimenting with different pop genres using horns and strings to add different colors to their palette. They continued to play both plugged and unplugged shows to eager crowds. Some weekday nights the band could bring out 20- 25 people. Other shows saw the band playing to a crowds of 200+ people, which was the case at their first CD release party at the now closed Cocodrie, SF. They continued to play throughout the Bay Area honing their songs and stage show. Living Space returned later in 2002 with their self-recorded second album, 'Fade into Existence'. The album release coincided with the loss of their original bassist. While still experimenting with different styles, this moodier recording captures the struggles of a newly 3 piece band dealing with growing pains and contemplation of life. Though the album was well received. 'Truly unique with vocals that are melodic with background intensity that laces the varied styles together.' - Music Morsels When Kevin Costa took a slight departure from the band, Living Space entered a period of transition. Without a bassist, Living Space went a couple of years writing and practicing but mostly playing acoustic shows. In the fall of 2005, Living Space plans to release their latest album, 'Secret Lives, Strange Goodbyes,' recorded over four months at Big Hut Studios in Berkeley. With the return of their original bassist Kevin Costa and the tasteful drumming of James Udell, the band's new recording features a revitalized collection of new songs. Still intact are the rich vocal harmonies and strong songwriting that has built Living Space's sound. The band has been working some of their new songs live which has been well received by new and old fans alike. With their current lineup, Living Space is determined to work to reach a larger audience with their earnest songs.
