Smells like Community Spirit - Musician Tim Shiel on transparency and connection
In a world where music, family, and career often seem like competing melodies, there exists a humble man who is dedicated to weaving them together.
Tim is the host of Arvos on Double J & Something More on triple j.
He has also appeared on ABC TV’s The Mix and Channel 10’s The Project.
He has interviewed hundreds of musicians since 2014, including: Lizzo, Liam Gallagher, Nils Frahm, Flying Lotus, Herbie Hancock, George Clinton, Beck, Mark Ronson, Digable Planets, Raekwon, Warpaint, Sigur Ros, Khruangbin, Amanda Palmer, Basement Jaxx, IDLES, The Chemical Brothers, Santigold, Empress Of, Neneh Cherry, JPEGMAFIA, Tierra Whack, Holly Herndon, GAIKA, Tirzah, serpentwithfeet, Park Hye Jin, Hot Chip, Underworld, Lucy Rose, Georgia, Ron Funches, David O’Doherty, Khruangbin, Death Cab of Cutie, Angelique Kidjo, Teenage Fanclub, Mumford & Sons, Shaun Micallef, Yumi Stynes, Osher Gunsberg, John Safran, Tycho, SASAMI and more.
Something More can currently be heard on triple j on Sunday 11pm-1am. It is triple j’s most experimental music program, playing left-field pop, cult club music and outsider sounds every week.
Arvos airs Monday to Thursday 3-7pm on Double J, triple j’s sister station. It features a combination of new music, daily guests and irreverent chat.
A QUICK WHIP AROUND THE INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE UP TIM
PRONOUNS: He / Him
HOMETOWN: Naarm / Melbourne
JOB DESCRIPTION: Musician
Tim performing with Gotye
Tim Shiel is a passionate musician, devoted father, and esteemed radio host, whose journey through the corridors of sound and fatherhood has transformed him into a unique blend of artistry and nurturing.
From the transformative moment when the thunderous guitars of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" ignited his soul, Tim has been on an eternal quest to capture the essence of musical euphoria. His adolescence, immersed in the grunge scene alongside high school mates, planted the seeds of a lifelong love affair with music that would eventually intertwine with his fascination for technology in his early twenties.
However, it wasn't until Tim found himself volunteering in community radio at RRR (3 Triple R) that his passion for music and broadcasting truly converged. What began as a volunteer gig soon blossomed into a career, with his day job in radio providing the perfect backdrop for his dual pursuits of music and communication.
A glimpse of Tim Shiel’s 'Duet' soundtrack getting an orchestral makeover - Premiering in May 2015 as part of QSOCurrent.
Featuring electronic artist Tim Shiel and QSO
Arranged and orchestrated by Ryan Walsh
Video and lighting design by Jaymis Loveday
It was the arrival of his three daughters that heralded a seismic shift in Tim’s perspective. Fatherhood rewired him completely, redirecting his focus from external validation to the opinions of his beloved children. Suddenly, the cacophony of societal expectations faded into the background, leaving room for a more authentic expression of self.
Tim approaches cooking with the same passion and creativity as he does his music. Not one to fuss over elaborate recipes, in the kitchen he finds solace in simplicity, cooking up dishes that satisfy both his palate and those of his discerning daughters.
As the founder of Spirit Level, a record label that operates more like a community project, Tim champions fellow artists, believing in the power of transparency and collaboration. He understands the struggles of aspiring musicians, acknowledging that the path to creative fulfilment often diverges from the road to financial success.
The Gardens Between is a single player adventure puzzle game about memories, friendship and time. Out now! http://thegardensbetween.com
Tim was the composer and audio lead for Melbourne-made independent video game The Gardens Between (2018). The game won Game of the Year at the 2018 Australian Game Development Awards, and a prestigious global Apple Design Award in early 2019.
For Tim, music isn't just a career—it's a personal practice, a means of self-expression, and a conduit for connection. He eschews the notion of the tortured artist, finding inspiration not in pain, but in abundance and community.
As Tim continues to navigate the ever-shifting landscapes of parenthood and music, one thing remains constant: his unwavering dedication to his craft and his commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community for fellow artists.
In a world that often prioritizes profit over passion, Tim stands as a beacon of authenticity and inspiration, reminding us that the true essence of art lies not in its commercial value, but in its ability to move and connect us on a deeper level.
Join us to find out What Tim Eats.
WHAT TIM EATS
EGG n BEANS
What Tim calls “a basic breakfast egg and black bean thing with a couple of simple elements thrown in to make it interesting” is actually far more interesting than he lets on. This is a special dish as Tim wasn’t into eggs for a long time. Now it’s his go - to that's he’s perfected over time.
Recipe tips:
Think 4 eggs for 2 people
Use a wooden spoon to create 4 little spots in the bean mixture for the eggs to go autonomously (nothing falling into them please); you can choose how goey your yolks get
“You’ll know if you’ve nailed it - the balance of the Worcestershire sauce and lime juice is crucial to the taste”
The spring onions darken due to the Worcestershire sauce
Serve with toast or an english muffin on the side with avocado diced on top and a lime wedge squeezed all over everything
Special ingredient is Shichi-mi tōgarashi (always in Tim’s pantry)
Drink with a coffee and / or a Bloody Mary
“It can look like a mess on the plate but it’s great”
MADE THIS RECIPE? TAG US AND SHARE THE FUN
#TIMSEGGNBEANS #WHATARTISTSEAT
LINKS & MENTIONS
LINKS TO ARTIST INFORMATION, RESOURCES AND ANYTHING ELSE WE CHATTED ABOUT
Everything else ‘Tim Shiel’ here
Always in Tim’s pantry is his special ingredient Shichi-mi tōgarashi
(ABOVE AND BELOW)
References for Tim’s “ART Vs FOOD” creation
INFORMATION AND TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR CHAT
The majority of people that Tim has seen have a long-term and happy relationship with music have positioned their music practice in parallel to another job
Tips for fostering community: Firstly, shyness is hard, but you can start really small. Message artists who are in the same city and on the same level as you and get into a proper conversation with them (but keep it human)
Tim’s not too fussy in the kitchen - if he likes something he’ll cook it over and over and over again, which is great when you don’t have much time
Community is everything. Tim feels that maybe there’s room to be less fixated on making money from your music and on building a great network around you
On the “Tortured Artist” stereotype - for Tim, pain has never been a source of inspiration and sometimes it just gets in the way