Over the weekend, Brandon Curtis announced on the Secret Machines message board that his brother Benjamin was leaving the band to work full-time on his new project, School of Seven Bells. The band, featuring On!Air!Library! alums Claudia and Alejandra Deheza, expects to be finished its debut album in the near future. Meanwhile, Brandon Curtis and Josh Garza will soldier on under The Secret Machines banner. The remaining duo are set to begin work on their next album in early May. Here's Brandon's message reprinted in full:
"I am writing to make a couple of announcements. First of all I want to let everybody know that The Secret Machines have begun work on our third album. We expect to begin recording sometime in the beginning of May. Unfortunately, I also must share that after 7 and 1/2 years of playing music together 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. He has told me that he expects to be finished with a new record very soon as well as there being plans in the works to play some shows here in New York debuting the band. Of course Josh and I wish him all the best."