RIP Benjamin Curtis (School of Seven Bells/Secret Machines)

Sad news from over the break - Benjamin Curtis of the School of Seven Bells and Secret Machines passed away on the night of December 29th, age 35. Curtis had been battling a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a diagnosis he announced publicly early in 2013 and received an outpouring of support through the year including a benefit/fundraising concert featuring Paul Banks (Interpol), Albert Hammond Jr (The Strokes)and Devendra Banhart.

Curtis first came to our attention via Secret Machines which he formed with his brother in the early 2000s and then School of Seven Bells in the late 2000s. Both bands making quite an impression down these parts but never touring unfortunately.

He leaves a great legacy of music behind - here are some singles from his releases with each band...

School of Seven Bells - 'Half Asleep' from Alpinisms (2008)

School of Seven Bells - 'Windstorm' from Disconnect from Desire (2010)

School of Seven Bells - 'Lafaye' from Ghostory (2012)

Secret Machines - 'Nowhere Again' from Now Here Is Now (2004)