School Of Seven Bells Founder Ben Curtis Dies Aged 35

Ben Curtis, a founder of School Of Seven Bells and Secret Machines, has died at the age of 35 after a battle with lymphoblastic lymphoma.

The Oklahoma-born, Dallas-based, musician died in New York, according to the Dallas Observer.

After playing in local bands, Curtis formed Secret Machines in Dallas with brother Brandon Curtis and Josh Garza, with records Now Here Is Nowhere and Ten Silver Drops becoming cult space-rock releases. Leaving that band to form School Of Seven Bells, often referred to as SVIIB, with sisters Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, they released three albums – Alpinisms in 2008, Disconnect From Desire in 2010 and Ghostory in 2012.

In August Curtis went public with his battle, telling fans in a statement, “As most of you know, I've been struggling with an extremely aggressive lymphoma that is now known to be fully resistant to most if not all of the known chemo/treatments on the market, and, as of Thursday I've just found out that it has progressed additionally into leukaemia with presumably all of the same resistances. Two cancers for the price of one, I guess.

“My only chance of cure (or at least a few years of normalcy) is still a bone marrow transplant, and it has been put on hold for the time being. For now my only hope of getting there is getting admitted into some clinical trials of brand new drugs and some damn good luck. Please cross your fingers and toes for me. In the meantime, please know that life is amazing, and I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon. You are all beautiful. You are all loved.”

The band toured Australia a number of times, including a Splendour In the Grass performance, with their most recent visit coming in 2012.

In October a number of musicians, from bands including Silversun Pickups M83 and Blonde Redhead, left messages of support for Curtis with Filter.

Earlier this month Curtis had cancelled his upcoming gigs for side project Cosmicide.

Watch Curtis perform with School Of Seven Bells at Sydney's Central Station: