THE LONG WEEKEND's debut long player has been eagerly awaited over the three years the duo have occupied Melbourne's vibrant music scene. Singing/songwriting partners Jackie Moffatt and Andrew Tragardh are THE LONG WEEKEND. Together with an itinerant mix of local like-minded musicians, THE LONG WEEKEND has wed the worlds of power pop, rock, folk and country to great effect. Melodic guitars, soaring harmonies and energetic rhythms charge the band's infinitely infectious songs which speak of escaping the nine to five, the pure and simple joys of love and the desire to belong - to someone, to something, to somewhere. The escapist lyrics are heartfelt: Tragardh was a big firm lawyer and Moffatt in the fashion industry before both opting out of the corporate lifestyle. From the up-beat fresh summer sounds of Heading for the Sun to the haunting combination of cello and harmonium on Holy Night, THE LONG WEEKEND are unafraid to explore diverse musical territory without straying too far from their pop sensibilities. Moffatt and Tragardh share the vocal duties on THE LONG WEEKEND's debut album 'Feel the Way', and the songs are richer for it. Tragardh's searching vocals tell the tale, the bittersweet clarity of Moffatt's driving it home. While the mood is undoubtedly upbeat, the atmospheric layering of guitars and minor progressions on So Clearly and Flowers prove that even THE LONG WEEKEND can have its wistful, reflective moments. Working with producer Greg Arnold (ex Things of Stone and Wood), and engineer Chris Dickie (Dave Matthews Band, Kasey Chambers), the band has created a beautifully crafted 10-track debut, recorded at 001 Studios in Melbourne. Arnold's affinity with the band has added an extra edge while keeping true to the fresh feel and heady holiday vibe that is THE LONG WEEKEND. This album represents a beginning and departure for Moffatt and Tragardh who spent three years at the helm of local outfit April Seven before making the break to become a duo. Fans won't be disappointed: this is the beginning of their soundtrack to happy times ahead. This will be THE LONG WEEKEND to remember. REVIEWS "Laughing Outlaw have been releasing some fantastic stuff just recently and this record is no exception. The Long Weekend consists of Andrew Tragardh and Jackie Moffatt, ably assisted by a cast of supporting musicians. The band specialise in the brand of melancholy, yet beautiful pop, that served REM so well in the early nineties, but they are far more than just throwback clones. Every song on the record contains strong melodies and some achingly beautiful, yet simple, guitar hooks. The opening four songs of the album are as strong as anything I have heard this year. Providing the listener with a sense of listlessness and misplacement, but undercut with a strong undercurrent of optimism. The album's feel is changed somewhat with 'Flowers' sung by Jackie Moffatt, although with lyrics such as: 'Don't send me flowers, they'll only die', the melancholy remains. 'Feel the way' is a beautiful pop song reminiscing about lessons learnt and the confusion that comes with the more experiences a person has. 'Gunnametta' is the only track that prevents this album obtaining full marks. At only ten songs and 37 minutes, it seems a bit lazy to include an instrumental, in my opinion, but the track is by no means weak and does vary the tone of the record. The album finishes with the strong trio of: 'Holy Night', 'Everything's Changed' and 'I Belong'. This album is one of my records of the year to date, with hardly a wasted moment in its duration. Get into The Long Weekend as it could be one of the more pleasurable things you do this year." 4 stars - Americana-UK Website "It's an admirably reckless man who jacks in a job at a top law firm to be in a band. Andrew Tragardh did just that, and together with Jackie Moffatt (the other half of The Long Weekend), he set about finding his soul. With its dreamy outlook and campfire chorus, opening track Heading For The Sun makes you think of every escapist road movie you've ever seen, and the Crowded House-on-holiday vibes continue throughout. The perfect soundtrack to driving off into the sunset, the squares left back at the office will be so jealous..." - Q Magazine (UK) "Jackie Moffatt and Andrew Tragardh spent three years fronting Melbourne's April Seven, cited as 'the best band you've never heard', before breaking out on their own as The Long Weekend. On the evidence of their debut album, those claims for April Seven may not be too wide of the mark. What emerges here is a gutsy, impressive American roots album, falling within the same sphere as Josh Rouse, Kelly Joe Phelps and Chris Whitley, all the more impressive given their several thousand mile remove from the shores of their inspiration. The duo share vocal duties, allowing them to explore the deepest shades of blue and the brightest hues of optimism, while the spare but detailed support from a host of unsung musicians adds a thick sheen of intrigue to their compositions." - Logo Magazine (UK) "Persistently strong debut." - Rip It Up, Adelaide "Another welcome surprise from the Laughing Outlaw stable, this debut from the Melbourne duo is upbeat country pop - with the emphasis on pop. Feel The Way places them in the same patch as Deadstar or Love Me - the rhythm of the road runs through almost every tune and they have a real knack for instantly memorable choruses." 4 stars - Time Off, Brisbane "Sunny and sometimes wistful pop-rock from a Melbourne duo with a Friday-afternoon-and-can't-wait-to-get-out-of-town theme in the lyrics. D chords jangle, harmonies sigh, Hammond organs arrive in the second verse and songwriters Jackie Moffatt and Andrew Tragardh share lead vocals and songs about the simple things. But there is something that warms from the inside about a record that sounds as if it's made for the sheer joy of making music rather than how big a splash it can make in the big bad music 'biz.'" - Brisbane Courier Mail