Secret Machines is an Americanalternative rock band formed in 2000 in Dallas, Texas, and later based in New York City, known for their expansive space rock sound that blends krautrock, shoegaze, and 1970s progressive rock influences such as Pink Floyd, Can, Neu!, and Brian Eno.[1][2][3] The band consists of founding members Brandon Curtis (vocals, bass, keyboards) and Josh Garza (drums), with guitarist Benjamin Curtis (Brandon's brother) as an original member until his departure in 2007 and subsequent death from T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in 2013 at age 35.[4][5][6] Guitarist Phil Karnats joined after Benjamin's exit, contributing to later recordings.[4][7]The band's early years were marked by a relocation to New York, where they built a reputation through dynamic live performances and released their debut EP September 000 in 2002, followed by the critically acclaimed full-length album Now Here Is Nowhere in 2004 on Reprise Records, featuring sprawling tracks like "Nowhere Again" that evoked psychedelic and industrial textures.[4][8][9] Their second album, Ten Silver Drops (2006), continued this trajectory with songs such as "First Wave Intact," solidifying their place among 2000s indie rock contemporaries like Interpol and Spiritualized.[4][8][7] After parting ways with Warner Bros., they self-released their third album in 2008 and contributed to the soundtrack of the film Across the Universe.[4] The group went on hiatus around 2010 but resumed activity in the late 2010s, issuing Awake in the Brain Chamber (2020), a remastered reissue of their self-titled album (2008; reissued 2022), and The Moth, the Lizard, and the Secret Machines (2023, from sessions dating to 2010) independently through their TSM Recordings label.[10][9][11][12]Secret Machines' music is distinguished by long-form compositions often exceeding nine minutes, hypnotic rhythms, and layered instrumentation that prioritize atmosphere over conventional song structures, earning them recognition as a defining act in the space rock revival.[8][2] Despite lineup changes and label challenges, their enduring influence is evident in reissues like the 2024 20th-anniversary edition of Now Here Is Nowhere and tours in 2024, reflecting a commitment to evolving their sound amid personal and industry shifts.[13][14][15]
History
Formation and early years
Secret Machines formed in the summer of 2000 in Dallas, Texas, when brothers Brandon Curtis (vocals, bass, and keyboards) and Benjamin Curtis (guitar and backing vocals) joined forces with drummer Josh Garza.[16] The trio drew from the local music scene, experimenting with expansive psychedelic and space rock sounds that echoed the city's underground rock heritage.[17][18]In late 2000, the band relocated to New York City, seeking immersion in the burgeoning indie rock community of Brooklyn and the Lower East Side.[19] This move marked a pivotal shift, allowing them to refine their immersive, guitar-driven style amid a vibrant scene that included acts like Interpol and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.[20]The group's initial lineup as a trio solidified during this period, with early rehearsals and performances helping to build their chemistry. By early 2001, they began playing small venues in the NYC underground circuit, generating word-of-mouth buzz through energetic live sets that showcased their atmospheric, riff-heavy compositions.[21] A notable early show occurred at Brownies in Manhattan on February 3, 2002, supporting Nada Surf and drawing attention from local tastemakers.[21]Shortly after their formation, in September 2000, Secret Machines traveled to Chicago to record their debut EP, September 000, at Clava Studios with producer Brian Deck and contributions from Califone members Tim Rutili and Ben Massarella on additional percussion.[22] Released on March 26 by Ace Fu Records, the EP featured five tracks—"Marconi's Radio," "What Used to Be French," "Breathe," "Still See You," and "It's a Bad Wind That Don't Blow Somebody Some Good"—capturing their raw, echoing space rock aesthetic with layered guitars and driving rhythms.[23][24] The release further amplified their growing presence in New York's indie underground, setting the stage for broader recognition.[22]
Now Here Is Nowhere and breakthrough
Following the success of their early EPs, Secret Machines signed with Reprise Records in 2003.[25]The band recorded their debut full-length album, Now Here Is Nowhere, at Stratosphere Sound in New York City, co-produced by the group and Jeff Blenkinsopp.[26] Released on May 18, 2004, the album showcased the band's expansive sound through tracks like the driving single "Nowhere Again" and the atmospheric "Sad and Lonely," blending rhythmic precision with psychedelic textures.[27][28]Now Here Is Nowhere garnered strong critical praise for its ambitious fusion of classic rock energy and experimental undercurrents, earning an 8.2 rating from Pitchfork, which highlighted its "classic rock front to launch a full-out musical assault" and drew comparisons to 1970s-era Pink Floyd, particularly in tracks like "Pharaoh's Daughter" evoking The Dark Side of the Moon.[27] The record marked a breakthrough, establishing the band as a notable force in alternative and space rock circles.[29]To promote the album, Secret Machines embarked on extensive touring throughout 2004, opening for Interpol on a North American run starting in October and headlining their own dates, including shows at venues like Slim's in San Francisco.[30][31] This period solidified their live reputation for immersive, high-energy performances that amplified the album's sonic scope.[32]
Live releases and Ten Silver Drops
In 2006, Secret Machines released a live concert film documenting their performance at the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas, titled Marfa Mystery Lights: A Concert for the UFO's. The event, conceived and directed by artist Charles de Meaux, took place in February 2006 amid the desert landscape famous for its unexplained mystery lights often associated with UFO sightings. The performance incorporated thematic elements of extraterrestrial phenomena, with the band's psychedelic rock set enhanced by the remote, otherworldly setting, and the DVD edition was issued in 2008 by Les presses du réel.[33]Building on the momentum from their debut album Now Here Is Nowhere, which facilitated larger-scale tours, Secret Machines recorded and released their second studio album, Ten Silver Drops, on April 25, 2006, through Reprise Records. The band self-produced the effort, with mixing handled by Alan Moulder, resulting in a collection of eight tracks clocking in at just under 46 minutes. The lead single, "Alone, Jealous and Stoned," was issued in January 2006, highlighting the album's blend of introspective songcraft and expansive arrangements.[34][35]Lyrically, Ten Silver Drops explores themes of isolation, romantic disillusionment, and narcotic-fueled paranoia, as seen in tracks like "Alone, Jealous and Stoned," which delves into breakup aftermaths, and "I Hate Pretending," evoking intraband tensions and drug-related unease. The album retains the band's psychedelic undercurrents but adopts a stronger rock edge compared to the debut's more ambient, sprawling soundscapes, shifting toward tighter, earthbound structures with midtempo grooves and less emphasis on extended jams. This evolution yields a more focused yet occasionally stagnant feel, with the opening trilogy—"Alone, Jealous and Stoned," "All at Once (It's Not Important)," and "Lightning Blue Eyes"—standing out for their emotional directness and melodic drive.[36]The release spurred extensive touring throughout 2006, including headlining dates across the U.S., appearances at major festivals like Lollapalooza in Chicago, and European shows such as their set at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK. These performances showcased the band's live prowess, emphasizing the album's rock-oriented energy in immersive settings that echoed their desert-themed visual aesthetics.[37][38]In 2007, the band contributed covers of "Flying" and "Blue Jay Way" to the soundtrack of the film Across the Universe.[39]Commercially, Ten Silver Drops achieved moderate success, peaking at No. 43 on the UK Albums Chart, though it saw limited U.S. impact without a prominent Billboard 200 entry. Reviews were mixed, praising the album's melodic accessibility and psychedelic flair while critiquing its lack of the debut's dynamic ambition, resulting in an average score of around 6.3 out of 10 from outlets like Pitchfork, which noted the shift to a more grounded, aggressive sound as both a refinement and a dilution of the band's earlier sprawl.[40][36]
Lineup changes and hiatus
In mid-2007, founding guitarist and vocalist Benjamin Curtis announced his departure from Secret Machines to pursue his new project, School of Seven Bells.[41][42] The band, now reduced to the core duo of vocalist/bassist/keyboardist Brandon Curtis and drummer Josh Garza, recruited guitarist Phil Karnats to continue.[43] They pressed forward with recording their third album, a self-titled effort produced by Brandon Curtis and Brandon Mason, which leaned into more experimental and electronic elements compared to prior releases.[44]Secret Machines was released on October 14, 2008, through the band's own TSM Recordings imprint in association with the World's Fair Label Group.[45][46] The album featured fragmented, atmospheric tracks such as "The Fire is Waiting" and "Atomic Heels," drawing Bowie-esque influences and earning praise for its darker, innovative sound, though some critics noted its inconsistency.[47][48] However, the release faced significant challenges, including the label's bankruptcy midway through promotion, which limited touring and distribution.[43][20]These setbacks, compounded by managerial issues, led to reduced activity, and by 2010, the band entered an unofficial hiatus with no new releases or tours.[10][49] During this period, Brandon Curtis pursued production work for other artists and joined Interpol for live performances on keyboards and vocals, while Garza contributed to various side endeavors.[50] The hiatus deepened tragically on December 29, 2013, when Benjamin Curtis died at age 35 from T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma after a year-long battle.[5] Brandon Curtis later described the loss as devastating, expressing profound awe at his brother's resilient approach to his illness.[20][10]
Reformation and recent activity
Following a decade-long hiatus, Secret Machines reformed in 2020 as a duo consisting of vocalist-bassist-keyboardist Brandon Curtis and drummer Josh Garza, driven by the need for personal healing in the wake of guitarist Benjamin Curtis's death in 2013 and enduring interest from their cult following, which included admirers like David Bowie and Muse.[10][51]The reformation yielded Awake in the Brain Chamber, released on August 21, 2020, via the band's own TSM Recordings imprint—their first new studio album in 12 years since 2008's self-titled effort.[52][53] The record opened with the lead single "Talos' Corpse" and delved into themes of awakening and renewal amid grief and isolation.[51] Building momentum, the duo issued two EPs in July 2022: the new Day 21, comprising original tracks, and a reissued edition of their 2008 EP Dreaming of Dreaming featuring remixes and collaborations, such as the version by Mavrogeorgis and Sclavunos; both were offered in limited cassette and digital formats.[54][55]In October 2022, the band announced the long-shelved "lost" album The Moth, The Lizard, and the Secret Machines, recorded during sessions paused in 2010 and finalized post-reformation, which was released on March 24, 2023, via TSM Recordings.[56][57] Preceded by singles like "There's No Starting Over," the release drew on unfinished material from the hiatus era while incorporating contemporary production.[58]The revival spurred a return to touring, beginning with support slots on Metric's 2022 U.S. Doomscroller tour—marking their first extensive run in over a decade—and extending to headline performances in 2023 and 2024 across North America.[59] As of 2025, Secret Machines continue as an active duo, often augmented by guest musicians including guitarist Phil Karnats for live dates, with ongoing projects including potential new material. In 2024, to mark the 20th anniversary, they released an anniversary edition of their 2004 debut Now Here Is Nowhere.[60][61][14]
Artistry
Musical style
Secret Machines' music is primarily rooted in alternative rock, infused with space rock and psychedelic elements that emphasize expansive, atmospheric soundscapes. Their songs often feature long-form structures, reverb-drenched guitars creating towering walls of noise and feedback, and atmospheric keyboards that contribute to a hypnotic, droning texture.[43][62][10] This style draws on progressive and krautrock influences, resulting in propulsive rhythms and winding arrangements that build from subtle grooves to monolithic crescendos.[43][48]The band's sound evolved significantly across their discography, beginning with the ambient, sprawling psychedelia of their 2004 debut Now Here Is Nowhere, which showcased hard-hitting space rock with wide-screen, Floydian expanses.[20][43] By their 2006 follow-up Ten Silver Drops, the music shifted toward a punchier garage rock edge, incorporating catchier hooks and more direct, muscular indie rock dynamics while retaining emotional depth.[20][48] Their 2008 self-titled album marked a darker, more experimental turn, introducing electronic and synth-driven motifs alongside abstract progressive interludes.[48][62] After a hiatus, the 2020 album Awake in the Brain Chamber returned with spacey rock emphasizing thick drumming, noisy bass lines, and progressive psychedelic elements, though shorter in length and less conceptually unified than prior works.[63] The 2022 self-titled album maintained recognizable traits with a subtle shift toward more streamlined structures, while the 2023 release The Moth, the Lizard, and the Secret Machines—originally begun in 2010—leaned into meditative experimentation, featuring pulsing rhythms, fuzzy riffs, layered sounds, and dark psych-rock atmospheres.[46][64]Central to their sonic identity are the layered harmonies delivered through the dual vocals of brothers Brandon and Benjamin Curtis, with Brandon's ethereal, breathy lead complemented by Benjamin's backing for a lush, melancholic effect.[62][10]Drummer Josh Garza's dynamic, thumping style provides primal propulsion, driving the band's hypnotic grooves and enabling seamless transitions between minimalist and explosive sections.[43][62][10]Production techniques highlight the use of analog synths, such as the Voyetra-8 for bass tones, alongside echo effects and custom distortion to craft immersive, feedback-laden environments.[20][62] These elements facilitate fluid song transitions and layered soundscapes, blending organic instrumentation with processed effects for a sense of vast, otherworldly depth.[48][10] In live settings, the band prioritizes improvisation and high volume, transforming studio polish into visceral, explosive performances that amplify their rhythmic intensity and atmospheric immersion.[10][43]
Influences
Secret Machines' sound is deeply rooted in 1970s progressive rock and space rock traditions, with vocalist Brandon Curtis citing Pink Floyd for their expansive atmospheric builds, Can for hypnotic repetition and groove, and Neu! for the propulsive motorik rhythms that underpin the band's driving percussion.[65][66] These elements form the core of their psychedelic aesthetic, blending epic scale with rhythmic minimalism. Curtis has also highlighted related Krautrock influences like Kraftwerk and Gong/Steve Hillage, emphasizing their role in shaping the group's experimental edge.[65]The band's textural layers draw from shoegaze pioneers My Bloody Valentine, incorporating swirling, distorted guitars that add depth to their psych-rock foundations.[66] Emerging in the early 2000s New York City indie scene, Secret Machines shared cultural and performative spaces with peers like Interpol and The Strokes, contributing to a revival of guitar-driven post-punk and garage rock amid the city's burgeoning alternative circuit.[20][10]Beyond music, the group has been inspired by sci-fi and UFO lore, particularly the enigmatic Marfa Lights of West Texas—unexplained glowing orbs long associated with extraterrestrial sightings—which informed their 2006 performance piece Marfa Mystery Lights: A Concert for the UFO's, filmed in the town's minimalist art enclave and blending live music with cosmic mysticism.[67]The Curtis brothers have frequently referenced electronic music pioneers in interviews, including Brian Eno for ambient experimentation and Talk Talk for introspective, synth-infused evolution.[43] Post-reformation in the late 2010s, following the death of guitarist Benjamin Curtis, the band's 2020s output—such as Awake in the Brain Chamber (2020) and The Moth, the Lizard and the Secret Machines (2023)—incorporates modern synth-pop nods through these influences, evident in layered electronic textures and atmospheric production.[43]
Band members
Current members
As of 2025, the active lineup of Secret Machines features founding members Brandon Curtis and Josh Garza, alongside guitarist Phil Karnats, who rejoined for recent recordings and performances.[68]Brandon Curtis handles vocals, guitars, keyboards, and bass, having co-founded the band in 2000.[16] Since the band's reformation in 2020, he has served as the primary songwriter, overseeing multi-instrumental production on releases such as the 2022 self-titled album and 2023's The Moth, The Lizard, and the Secret Machines, where he co-wrote and performed all tracks.[64][68]Josh Garza (born May 13, 1976) provides drums and percussion, a role he has held since the band's inception in 2000.[16] Renowned for his driving, propulsive rhythms that underpin the group's space rock sound, Garza co-produced recent albums and maintained creative partnerships with Curtis through side projects like the garage rock outfit Dodo Lightning during the hiatus.[69][43]Phil Karnats contributes guitar, having first joined in 2007 and returning in 2022 to complete the trio for studio and live work. His playing features prominently on post-reformation material, including co-performance credits on the 2022 self-titled album and the ambient, synth-heavy arrangements of The Moth, The Lizard, and the Secret Machines, enhancing the band's layered psychedelic textures.[68][64]For select live performances since 2022, the band has occasionally incorporated additional touring musicians on guitar or keys to support the core trio's arrangements.[70]
Former members
Benjamin Curtis served as a co-founding member of Secret Machines, contributing guitars, keyboards, and backing vocals from the band's formation in 2000 until his departure in March 2007.[1] As the younger brother of vocalist and bassist Brandon Curtis, he played a pivotal role in shaping the band's early sound through his songwriting contributions, intricate guitar work, and vocal harmonies that defined their psychedelic rock style on debut releases like the 2002 EP September 000 and the 2004 album Now Here Is Nowhere.[16][43]Curtis left the band to focus on his new project, School of Seven Bells, which he co-founded with Alejandra and Claudia Deheza. The remaining members recruited guitarist Phil Karnats as his replacement, allowing the band to continue with their 2008 self-titled album.[43]Tragically, Curtis died on December 29, 2013, at the age of 35, after battling T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which he had been diagnosed with earlier that year.[5]Prior to signing with a major label, Secret Machines occasionally incorporated session musicians for live performances and early recordings, though no fixed additional roles were established during this formative period.[1]
Discography
Studio albums
The Secret Machines have released five studio albums to date.Their debut album, Now Here Is Nowhere, was issued on May 18, 2004, by Reprise Records. Recorded at Stratosphere Sound in New York City, it features expansive, psychedelic rock tracks influenced by krautrock and shoegaze, peaking at No. 33 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart.[71][72]The follow-up, Ten Silver Drops, arrived on April 25, 2006, also via Reprise Records. More concise than its predecessor at eight tracks spanning 45 minutes, the album shifts toward tighter song structures while retaining the band's atmospheric sound, reaching No. 159 on the Billboard 200.[73]In 2008, the band released their self-titled third album on October 14 through their own TSM Recordings label. Self-produced and featuring a more experimental edge amid lineup changes.[49]After a long hiatus, Awake in the Brain Chamber emerged as an independent release on August 21, 2020, via TSM Recordings in digital and limited vinyl editions. Clocking in at around 31 minutes across seven songs, it marks the band's return with raw, introspective indie rock.[53][74]The most recent effort, The Moth, The Lizard, and the Secret Machines, consists of "lost" recordings from 2010 sessions and was released on March 24, 2023, by TSM Recordings. Spanning nine tracks and nearly 50 minutes, it revives unfinished material with a brooding, immersive quality.[75][56]
EPs
Secret Machines released their debut extended play, September 000, in 2002 through Ace Fu Records on CD format.[23] The EP consists of six tracks, including the sprawling opener "Marconi's Radio" and the atmospheric "What Used to Be French," recorded at Clava Studios in Chicago with producer Brian Deck.[22] This release played a key role in attracting industry attention, contributing to the band's subsequent major-label deal.Following the band's reformation, Secret Machines issued Day 21 on July 15, 2022, via their own TSM Recordings imprint, available in digital and limited-edition cassette formats.[76] The EP features three original tracks—"Day 21," "Matrons," and "New Ordinance"—marking the duo's return with propulsive, synth-driven rock elements reflective of their post-hiatus sound.[77]As a companion to Day 21, the band simultaneously reissued their 2008 EP Dreaming of Dreaming on the same date and label, also in digital and cassette editions as part of a double-EP cassette package.[78] This version includes three tracks, highlighted by a newly remixed title track featuring contributions from Jim Sclavunos (drummer for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds) and George Mavrogeorgis, alongside reworks of "Daylight (Won't Be Long)" and "The Walls Are Starting to Sweat."[54] The collaborative remix adds a darker, more experimental edge to the original material.[79]
Singles
Secret Machines have released a select number of singles, primarily as lead or promotional tracks from their albums, available in formats such as vinyl, CD, and digital downloads. These releases highlight the band's evolving sound, from psychedelic rock to more experimental elements.
Title
Release Date
Album
Format
Label
"Sad and Lonely" / "Nowhere Again"
July 26, 2004 ("Nowhere Again"); December 27, 2004 ("Sad and Lonely")
Now Here Is Nowhere (2004)
7" vinyl, CD
Reprise Records
"Hide from the Sun"
2006
Ten Silver Drops (2006)
Digital/Promotional
Reprise Records
"Alone, Jealous and Stoned"
January 16, 2006
Ten Silver Drops (2006)
CD, 12" vinyl, Digital
Reprise Records
"Talos' Corpse"
June 25, 2020
Awake in the Brain Chamber (2020)
Digital (FLAC, 24-Bit 96.0 kHz)
Self-released
"There's No Starting Over"
October 25, 2022
The Moth, The Lizard, and the Secret Machines (2023)
Digital
Self-released
Other releases
In 2007, Secret Machines released Marfa Mystery Lights, a limited-edition DVD documenting a unique live performance conceived and directed by artist Charles de Meaux.[87] The recording captures the band's set from February 2006 in Marfa, Texas, performed in the parking lot of the Chinati Foundation amid the desert landscape famous for its unexplained "mystery lights"—ghostly orbs often linked to UFO sightings.[33] With a runtime of approximately 66 minutes, the NTSC-format DVD features the trio delivering psychedelic rock interpretations tailored to the event's extraterrestrial theme, blending concert footage with atmospheric visuals that evoke UFO lore and the site's enigmatic history.[87] Produced by Les Presses du Réel in a run of 500 copies, it stands as the band's primary visual live release, emphasizing experimental staging over standard concert documentation.[88]Beyond their core discography, Secret Machines contributed tracks to various film, television, and video game soundtracks, showcasing their spacey, introspective sound in multimedia contexts. For the 2007 Beatles-inspired musical film Across the Universe, they provided three covers: the instrumental "Flying," a collaboration with Alison Krauss on "Blue Jay Way," and "I Am the Walrus" featuring Bono on lead vocals.[39] Their song "Nowhere Again" from the 2004 album Now Here Is Nowhere appeared in the 2006 video game Driver: Parallel Lines, enhancing its gritty, era-spanning narrative.[89] In television, "First Wave Intact" (from the 2008 self-titled album) was featured in season 3 of the FX series Legion (2019), underscoring surreal psychological sequences, while "1000 Seconds" (from Ten Silver Drops, 2006) played in the season 4 finale of Mr. Robot (2019), amplifying themes of digital isolation and escape.[90][91] These placements highlight the band's versatility in syncing their droning riffs and echoing vocals to visual storytelling across genres.Secret Machines have not issued official live albums beyond archival releases like Live at the Garage (2019, recording from 2006), but fan-recorded bootlegs and digital sets have circulated online since their 2020 reunion. Notable examples include audience and audience-sourced audio from their October 2022 performance at Observatory North Park in San Diego, preserved in high-quality 24-bit format on platforms like the Internet Archive, offering glimpses into their post-hiatus energy with extended jams on classics like "Nowhere Again."[92] Such unofficial recordings, often shared by tapers within the indie rock community, provide the primary access to their sporadic live output in the 2020s, absent formal commercial efforts.In addition to original releases, the band has issued several reissues. A digital remastered and resequenced edition of the self-titled album was released on September 23, 2022, via TSM Recordings, featuring the new track "The Fire Is Waiting" and remastering by Simon Scott of Slowdive.[11][46] The debut album Now Here Is Nowhere received a 20th-anniversary edition on May 17, 2024, including remastered audio and bonus content.[13]