Babitha rhymes with Tabitha…
Babitha’s music explores themes of heartache, desire and escapism through soaring harmonies and shimmering, sun-kissed arrangements that blend alt-country, indie-folk and soft rock elements. Drawing comparisons to Aldous Harding and Weyes Blood, Babitha takes a melodramatic approach to the mundane - both surreal and sincere, commanding and detached.
With a background in film and photography, Grist presents Babitha as a theatrical persona - an archetypal figure conjured through costuming. The visual worlds she inhabits are highly stylised, steeped in metaphor and mythology. For Grist, Babitha serves as a multidimensional framework for storytelling and self-exploration.
Her debut album Brighter Side of Blue, released via Spunk in 2023, was met with widespread critical acclaim. It was named Album of the Week by FBi, 2SER and Edge Radio, and featured in Double J and NME’s Best Albums of the Year.
Babitha’s live shows feature a rotating cast of collaborators including Russell Fitzgibbon (Skeleten), Cecil Coleman (Body Type) and Jordan Ireland (The Middle East). She has supported José González, Alex G, Julia Jacklin, King Stingray and Calexico, and performed at SXSW, Vivid, BIGSOUND, Phoenix Central Park and the MCA.
Her forthcoming album, produced by Tony Buchen and set for release in 2026, embraces a broader sonic palette. Drawing on 80s pop and new-age aesthetics, it introduces atmospheric synths and sweeping orchestral flourishes, signalling a bold evolution in Babitha’s sound
and vision.
Babitha is the musical project of Imogen Grist - a multidisciplinary Australian artist raised in country NSW to a backing track of ABBA and Neil Young.
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 Underground Stage
★★★★★ “Country lilted with howling pedal steel and a voice that invokes some of the greatest songstresses of our time”
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
