Last night, on the School Of Seven Bells Facebook page:
Dear friends,
Last night, Dec. 29th 2013, we lost our friend and brother Benjamin Curtis to his fight against cancer.
While we had hoped to delay this announcement until a more suitable time when his friends and family could feel better prepared and settled to greet any correspondences from folks attempting to reach out, unfortunately the news has prematurely leaked. So we felt it would be appropriate to at least offer an official acknowledgement from us, in light of all the fans who loved and supported Benjamin and his music.
We kindly ask that his immediate family, friends & bandmates' privacy be respected during this time, and that instead, any inquires, well wishes, or notes-of-consolation be sent through School of Seven Bells’ management, where it can be shared with them at the suitable time. They can be sent to a special e-mail address here: sviib@wizkidmanagement.com
I read this late last night and even though I knew he was ill it was still a horrible shock. As it was with Kurt and John Peel, I had that heartbreaking feeling of losing someone who has touched your life even though you never met them.
I've been more engaged and excited by new music in the last couple of years than perhaps I've ever been, moreso than even during the great Melody Maker / Shoegazey excitement of the early 90's.
A lot of this is thanks to my late discovery of Disconnect From Desire, the second album from School of Seven Bells, a record I played several times a week for many months. 'Dreampop' or whatever label you want to put on it doesn't necessarily do it justice as it's music I find to be as engaging as it is mesmeric. In early 2012 I declared SVIIB as my favourite new band. Two years on and over 800 song plays later, it's hard to remember my collection without them.
Today hurts badly as a fan but my thoughts are with Benjamin's friends and family, not least Alejandra - his partner in life and the band.
An exceptional talent and a great loss. Thanks for everything. Your music shines on.