Tim Shiel announced on Double J this afternoon, Tuesday June 18, that he will be leaving at the end of the month after a decade with the station and two decades in radio.
The host of Double J Arvos and Something More (which is also broadcast on triple j) Shiel, a musician himself, has been at the forefront of forward-thinking, new and innovative music, helping artists share their sounds and stories with his audience. He would speak with artists like Lizzo and Fred Again before they became household names and was involved from Double J’s launch, to their recent 10th Birthday, triple j’s annual Hottest 100 countdowns, and has been instrumental in bringing Double J’s 50 best lists to life on air (like 50 Gigs You Should’ve Been At and 50 Best Australian Debut Albums).
Shiel said:
“Being asked to join Double J in 2014, to be there at the start of a brand new radio station, was such an unexpected honour. A few years later, to not just kick off Double J’s afternoon show but then get to host it for seven years? I mean, what??? Working with the country’s biggest music brains, championing local artists and their stories, interviewing hundreds of musicians, including many of my personal heroes.. I’m still stunned, so blown away that I got to do this.
The biggest thrill of course has been simply hanging out in the lives and in the ears of Double J’s listeners, being with you as you do whatever you do in the afternoon: finishing up work, picking up your kiddos, prepping dinner, doing the shopping, giving birth that one time. Double J – you are wonderful and I’ve loved spending my afternoons with you. But I’m ready to take my afternoons back, and find out what happens next. In the short term, that involves spending a bunch more time hanging with my kids, and making music. Thanks for all your stories and your love over the years, the feeling is mutual. ❤️“
Double J will celebrate Tim through a series of highlight shows over the next week, from 3pm Mon-Thurs, with some of his interviews from deep in the archives.
Shiel’s final show is on Thursday June 27.