Pitchfork

The Secret Machines fan community is majorly bummed right now, as it was announced this weekend that guitarist and founding Machine Benjamin Curtis has departed the prog-ish trio.

"After 7 and 1/2 years of playing music together," wrote bandmate and brother Brandon Curtis on the Machines' message board, "Benjamin has decided to no longer be a part of the band. It is a sad day but also an exciting one as he prepares to focus full time on his new creative venture, School of Seven Bells...Of course Josh [Garza, drummer] and I wish him all the best."

New York-based quintet School of Seven Bells, as previously reported, features Benjamin alongside another set of siblings: sisters Claudia and Alejandra Deheza, formerly of On!Air!Library!. The act "expects to be finished with a new record very soon," wrote Brandon, and "there [are] plans in the works to play some shows here in New York debuting the band."

While it's not known whether the remaining Machines will seek a replacement, Brandon and Josh have begun work on the third Secret Machines album, the follow-up to last year's Ten Silver Drops. "We expect to begin recording sometime in the beginning of May," said Brandon. Silver lining, yo.