<… Read Full Bio ↴The Long Winters is an American indie rock band based in Seattle, USA.
Singer-songwriter John Roderick was born in Seattle, Washington, and moved to Anchorage, Alaska, during his elementary school years. He later returned to Seattle and formed both Bun Family Players and The Western State Hurricanes. Following the collapse of the latter, he acted as touring keyboardist for Harvey Danger.
In 2001, Harvey Danger singer/songwriter Sean Nelson suggested that he and Roderick record an album, with half of the songs penned by John and the other half by Sean. Death Cab for Cutie band member Chris Walla had recently opened the Hall of Justice studio in Seattle and agreed to help them record.
John recruited Joe Bass of Sky Cries Mary and Brian Young of Fountains of Wayne to flesh out several of the songs, and the album gradually evolved to feature only John's songs. After several months, The Worst You Can Do Is Harm was finished.
John traveled to New York, where he played solo shows and quickly began to write new songs, several of which would be included on the Long Winters's second album, When I Pretend to Fall.
While in New York, John was contacted by Barsuk Records — the label that would release The Worst You Can Do Is Harm — who made it clear that they wanted John to promote the release by touring. He returned to Seattle, where he was joined by Chris Caniglia, former Western States Hurricanes drummer Michael Shilling, and Eric Corson on bass. Thus, The Long Winters were born.
Sean Nelson offered to sing harmony vocals on a number of songs at the band's first live gig. He ended up casually performing with the band for their first few shows before committing to full-time enrollment.
The original trio responsible for The Worst You Can Do Is Harm (John Roderick, Sean Nelson, and Chris Walla) is often considered the original incarnation of the band. John and Sean, along with recruits Eric Corson and Michael Shilling (the drummer in Roderick's previous band, the Western State Hurricanes) are the core players behind When I Pretend to Fall, with Sean having replaced Chris Caniglia as the band's keyboardist. When I Pretend to Fall was released and John, Sean, Eric and Michael embarked on an ambitious series of tours throughout 2003 in support of the album. The band toured North America with Barsuk Records labelmates Nada Surf and Death Cab for Cutie, and later spent November touring Europe. Michael Shilling eventually quit in December of 2003, burned out by the hectic touring and lifestyle of the band.
With the best wishes of the Long Winters, Sean left in March 2004 to rekindle his former band.
At the time of Sean's departure, the Long Winters had begun rehearsing with Michael Shilling's replacement for the band's 2004 tours, former Death Cab for Cutie percussionist Michael Schorr. Confronted with a double blow to the band's line-up, John took the opportunity to reinvent the band — especially with an East Coast tour supporting The Pernice Brothers, a more fleshed out European tour, and a nationwide tour supporting the Decemberists that would take the band through the spring and well into the summer. Thus, the leaner three-piece version of The Long Winters was born, featuring John Roderick, Eric Corson, and Michael Schorr.
This extensive spring/summer 2004 tour took its toll on drummer Michael Schorr, who left the band shortly after its completion. John continued to do small promotional events and shows throughout the latter half of 2004 and 2005, often previewing a handful of new Long Winters songs.
The latest incarnation of the Long Winters features John Roderick on vocals, guitars, and keyboard, Eric Corson on bass and back-up vocals, and Nabil Ayers on drums. The Long Winters toured with Keane in October 2005 in support of an EP released on October 11th, 2005, titled Ultimatum. John Roderick did a solo mini tour through Europe in May 2006 to promote awareness for the third full-length LP, Putting the Days to Bed, which was released on 25 July 2006. In the fall of 2006 the band, now with guitarist/keyboard player Jonathan Rothman replacing Michael Squires, toured the USA, after which they joined Keane once again for a European tour. Listed among the hardest touring bands in music, the Long Winters begin 2007 with yet another European tour, followed by a month of shows in the USA and Canada.
Fire Island AK
The Long Winters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A man called my house
He asked me what I knew
They found my letter
And I don't have to wonder
No I don't have to wonder
So I don't have to wonder
Good morning Fire Island
I'm not sure who to ask
They said wait until tomorrow
They found my letter
And I don't have to wonder
So I don't have to wonder
No I don't have to wonder
Did it reach you? Did it reach you?
Cinders in the garden
From the cars parked on the lawn
They're tracking up the carpet
They found my letter
And I don't have to wonder
No I don't have to wonder
So I don't have to wonder
Did it reach you? Did it reach you?
You've got to start the car the ice has come
The Long Winters' song Fire Island AK is an enigmatic piece of music that has plenty of depth and nuance. This song is arguably about a man who is worried about whether his letter has reached its intended recipient. The opening lines suggest that someone has called the singer's house and asked him about something. The lyrics "they found my letter" signify that the singer had written a letter that was supposed to be delivered to someone. There is a sense of worry and anxiety in the lyrics as the singer is unsure whether his letter has reached the intended recipient.
The song has a sense of desperation and urgency that grows stronger as it progresses. The singer tries to reach out to someone on Fire Island but is faced with a lack of clarity about how to proceed. The lyrics "I'm not sure who to ask, they said wait until tomorrow" indicate that the singer is unable to get a clear answer about the status of his letter. The use of imagery in the lyrics is also worth noting. The lines "Cinders in the garden, from the cars parked on the lawn" indicate that there is a sense of chaos and disarray around the singer's surroundings. The singer is also worried about the weather as the line "You've got to start the car the ice has come" suggests that conditions are harsh.
Overall, Fire Island AK is a hauntingly beautiful song that deals with themes of anxiety, uncertainty, and desperation. The Long Winters paint a vivid picture with their lyrics and create an emotional landscape that speaks to the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's how I found out
I received a phone call from a man who asked me about my knowledge regarding something, and mentioned that he found a letter that I wrote.
A man called my house
I received a phone call from an unfamiliar man who I did not know.
He asked me what I knew
The man who called me inquired about my knowledge or involvement in a particular matter.
They found my letter
The man who called me had discovered a letter that I had written which may be relevant to the matter at hand.
And I don't have to wonder
I no longer have to speculate or guess about whether or not the letter was found or received.
No I don't have to wonder
I am confident and certain about the letter's discovery and receipt.
So I don't have to wonder
There is no need for me to continue questioning or worrying about the letter's whereabouts.
Did it reach you? Did it reach you?
This rhetorical question repeats my inquiry about whether or not the letter reached its intended recipient.
Good morning Fire Island
This line is a greeting to Fire Island, which may be a place or a person.
I'm not sure who to ask
I express my uncertainty about who I should inquire with or seek information from.
They said wait until tomorrow
Someone else informed me to delay any further action or inquiry until the following day.
Cinders in the garden
There are ashes or small pieces of burnt material in the garden.
From the cars parked on the lawn
The source of the ashes or burnt material is the parked cars on the lawn.
They're tracking up the carpet
The cars are leaving visible marks or dirtying the carpet as they drive on it.
They found my letter
My letter has been discovered and its content may be relevant or important in the situation described in the song.
You've got to start the car the ice has come
This line may be a suggestion or command to start a car that has been affected by ice or cold weather.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John Roderick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andymangold
Sent here by the latest Roderick On The Line. John’s hair doesn’t look so bad.
@tomlowbrass
Looks like a hairdo that a veteran of the Irony Wars of the 90's would have!
@DavidFranco-gn5jn
He also hates his choice of glasses in this video.
@EmmaVB82
Right?! I’m just listening to Road Work 118 (only ~4 years late here), and I’m contrast to what he’s saying I think his whole look here is pretty good!
I definitely agree with him that some of his glasses choices over the years haven’t been the best style to flatter his face (but who hasn’t made dubious style choices in their life?! I look back at photos of me in my early-mid 20s and cringe at the very rounded oval glasses I had, because now I can’t imagine wearing anything but more rectangular frames!), but these hold up 😊
@AudiophileTubes
I just heard of them TODAY on NPR radio, where John Roderick was interviewed by Rick Steves! Nice!
@cherisefuselier
I love The Long Winters. So very much.
@lnlproductions8412
God I listen to this album way too much, found from mbmbam a while ago
@shelbydean9072
Came here from the recent ROtL Ep. 424
@luckiekevin
LONG WINTERS ARE PLAYING THE DOE BAY FEST !!!! Here's to getting to see them on an island in the middle of the woods!
@redhousepainters
Great band and great vid