Death Cab for Cutie band member Chris Walla had recently opened up the Hall of Justice studio in Seattle and agreed to help them record.
He traveled back to Seattle and was joined by Chris Caniglia, former Western State Hurricanes drummer Michael Shilling and Eric Corson on bass.
When I Pretend to Fall was released and Roderick, Nelson, Corson and Shilling embarked on tours throughout 2003 in support of the album.
At the time of Nelson's departure, The Long Winters had begun rehearsing with Shilling's replacement, former Death Cab for Cutie percussionist Michael Schorr.
Thus, the leaner three-piece version of The Long Winters was born, featuring Roderick, Corson, and Schorr.
Roderick 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.
Roderick did a solo tour through Europe in May 2006 to promote the third full-length LP, Putting the Days to Bed, which was released July 25, 2006.
The Long Winters began 2007 with yet another European tour, followed by a month of shows in the United States and Canada.