Babitha (think ‘Tabitha’ with a ‘B’) is the solo project of Imogen Grist - a multidisciplinary artist raised in country NSW to a backing track of Neil Young, ABBA and Fleetwood Mac.
Inspired by the archetypal ‘other woman’, Babitha’s brand of loaded yet languid alt-country ballads see guitar-laden tracks break ground beneath fables of escape and heartbreak. With soaring harmonies and lyrics that cut to the core, Babitha is equal parts vulnerable and evocative, commanding and detached. Her work evokes music’s golden years, yet feels critically of our time.
Since the release of her hit single ‘Get Away’ in 2020, Babitha has amassed close to 3 million streams, landed ‘Album of the Week’ on FBi Radio, 2SER and Edge Radio, rotation on ABC Country and college radio across America, and was listed in Double J and NME’s ‘Best Albums of 2023’. She has been nominated for an FBi SMAC Award, and was a finalist in this year’s APRA Professional Development Awards.
Bolstered by a band of local stars in their own right (Russell Fitzgibbon from Skeleten, Cecil Coleman from Body Type and Jordan Ireland from The Middle East), Babitha’s live performances embody a communal celebration of music and togetherness, uniting diverse audiences that bridge the gap between Contemporary and Country music fans. Babitha has opened for Alex G, King Stingray, Calexico, Julia Jacklin and Andy Shauf, and graced the stage at Vivid, BIGSOUND, SXSW, Phoenix Central Park, the MCA, Sydney Opera Bar, Dashville and more.
This year, Impressed Recordings reissued Babitha’s debut album ‘Brigher Side of Blue’ and Babitha joined José González on his national tour. She continues to work on her sophomore album, scheduled for release in 2025.
Love for Babitha…
“A blend of cosmic country, kaleidoscopic indie and sun-kissed folk-rock, the album’s emotive and endearing songwriting belies the relative inexperience of its creator.”
NME (Read feature here)
"Brighter Side Of Blue is a formidable debut that thoughtfully reflects on the internal and external turmoil of the current age, threaded together with a wide-eyed and refreshing sense of optimism."
FBi Radio (Album of The Week)
"...a melodically rich, ethereal alt-folk sound, that drift across intimate songwriting and dusty cinematics."
2SER (Feature Album)
“So Fleetwood Mac it could be on a skateboard, Babitha’s debut release is smooth and creamy and twinkly and delightful. The light flares off its surfaces, it twangs and thrums in all the right places, and the aching need in the chorus to leave the city and go somewhere – anywhere – sparks images of endless roads and far-off sunsets. A truly lovely debut.”
The Underground Stage
★★★★★ “Country lilted with howling pedal steel and a voice that invokes some of the greatest songstresses of our time, Babitha has arrived everybody. This is the 2020 zeitgeist.”
Kath Devaney - ABC Country Music Programmer
“Though there are only two songs under the Babitha name, they are both songs that conjure a singular incandesce.”
Tone Deaf
“With two singles to her name, Babitha is turning heads with a refreshing blend of alt-country charm and introspective, old-world songwriting.”
Happy Magazine
★★★★ “This one held me captive for 4 mins. A total classic, but made today for our lucky ears.”
Declan Byrne - triple j Home & Hosed presenter
★★★★ “This feels like old vinyl and worn corduroy - it’s got a timeless appeal from the compact alt-country amble to Babitha’s rounded vocal.”
Dave Ruby Howe - Music Director of triple j Unearthed
★★★★ “Your voice, in all its depth and warmth and vibrancy, is so damn comforting. The songwriting reminded me a little of Aldous Harding, too.”
Abby Butler - Community Producer at triple j Unearthed