Guitarist Benjamin Curtis has left The Secret Machines to work on his New York-based quintet, School of Seven Bells. The guitarist co-founded The Secret Machines with his keyboardist brother Brandon Curtis and drummer Josh Garza over seven years ago and helped define the trios space-rock sound. Curtis will release a School of Seven Bells record in the coming months and gig throughout New York. School of Seven Bells also includes sisters Claudia and Alejandra Deheza, formally of On!Air!Library!. The Secret Machines will soldier on and plan to begin work on their next studio album in May.