Summer Hymns was formed in 1997 by singer/guitarist Zachary Gresham and drummer Philip Brown, both formerly of mid-1990s Athens favorites, Joe Christmas.
Guitarist Bren Mead, of Masters of the Hemisphere, bassist Derek Almstead and keyboardist Dottie Alexander, both from Of Montreal, and multi-instrumentalist Adrian Finch completed the early lineup.
The debut Summer Hymns single, "Half Sick of Shadows" b/w "Lucky" was released by Made in Mexico in 1999.
Summer Hymns' first full-length, Voice Brother and Sister was released by Misra Records to widespread critical acclaim in 2000.
The core trio's live show is often augmented with additional musicians, including Bryan Nuse (Wet Meadows) on guitar and percussion, Jimmy Hughes (Elf Power, Folklore) on guitar, David Specht (Quiet Hooves) on keyboard, and Aaron Jolley (Folklore, Dark Meat, The Lickety Splits) on horns and percussion.