Formed by guitarist John Roderick in 2001, the band was named by an offhand comment from Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie) in reference to Roderick's years growing up in Alaska. The first Long Winters album was a recording project of Roderick, Walla, and Sean Nelson (Harvey Danger), but when the recordings were picked up by Barsuk Records a live band was formed.
http://www.thelongwinters.com/