School of Seven Bells posted the following message to Facebook on Monday: " 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: [email protected] If relevant, further information will be made available through the suitable channels in the near future.