The history of music concentrates on what is called
"The Great Tradition" - courtly music, classical composers, great musicians and recherché compositions. It includes Purcell, Vivaldi, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Britten, and "anybody who is anybody".
There exists another world - that of the little tradition -the everyday music of country folk, untutored musicians, barroom songs, soldiers' songs and children's rhymes. Christmas carols are a surviving remnant of the many-faceted little tradition.
This is the world of folk music, interpreted by every generation of singers and musicians.

Instead of reflecting royal patronage and privilege, the little tradition deals with birth and death, love and marriage, betrayals and jilted lovers, spectacular murders and gruesomespooky tales.
Whereas one world is civilized and courteous, the other is earthy, often course, humorous or terrifying by turns. Indian Summer comes from the little tradition because we live in a real world of families and problems, loves and joys.
Annie Bamforth

Annie grew up on folk songs/ folk dancing and music hall songs, and never grew out of them. Steeleye Span and Pentangle along with Joan Baez's Scots ballads are great influences -as are mediaeval French and Spanish literature.
Plays guitar, mandolin, bodhran when pushed, and , of course sings.

 
Jon Bamforth

Grew up on the masters of funk - Larry Graham, Abraham Laboriel, Will Lee, Jaco, Marcus Miller, and grew into Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey, Stu Hamm, Billy Sheehan and Michael Manring.
Plays bass (obviously), guitar, mandocello, mandolin ("anything with strings"), drums, electronic percussion. Does vocals when paid.
Met up with Annie in '89, married her in '91 and Indian Summer was born out of "fruitful discussions" and eventful compromises in styles between folk and funk - an eclectic mix.

 
Mike Tymoczko

Grew up on jazz, blues, rock and anything musical. Plays a mean squeezebox and fiddle because he's just that sort of multi-talented wizard. Has a list of album credits too long to mention on this website - chat to him at gigs.

 
Keith Patterson

Grew up bashing anything that didn't move and turned pro drummer at 15. Another with a list of album credits and a career alongside Jethro Tull, Ray Charles, and a spell as the resident drummer at Ronnie Scot's.
Enjoys messing with folk "on account of the light and shade".

 
Richard Pendell

Adds a lot of atmosphere with a wicked set of ethnic percussion!