*Spinworkx Exclusive!* Celebrated Local Bloggers!
They have been around since January 2008 and they have already received praises from both local and international players. They covered the Chingay event in 2008, posted the first few sneak peaks of the new Duncan Hayabusa before its release, compiled rare pictures of limited edition yo-yos for online readers to see, and even did an interview with Duncan Crew member Brandon Jackson.
Jayson and Alex, the dynamic duo who run the Singapore-Yoing blog, have taken time away from their busy schedule to do an interview with us exclusively for SpinworkX and we are excited to have them here with us today!
Name: Jayson Lim
Age: 24
Country: Singapore
Years of Play: 10 years
Preferred Yoyo and Setup: Stock 888
Favorite Music Genre: None Particular
Favorite Fashion Labels: Original Fake, Bape, Samuel and Kevin
Name: Alex Yao
Age: 21
Country: Singapore
Years of Play: 6 years
Preferred Yoyo and Setup: Modded Raiders
Favorite Music Genre: J-Rock, Classical, C-Pop, Jazz (I’m a musician myself! Thus, I try to expose myself to all sorts of music)
Favorite Fashion Labels: Surrender, Bape, Afterlife, Head Porter etc (Simply put it, I love the Japanese Fashion Scene)
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SpinworkX:
Hey guys, it’s great to have you two here today with us for this interview about the blog everybody’s talking about. Lets start off with some basic questions…how did it started?
Alex:
It really started when I was going through Jayson’s blog one day and noticed that he had a lot of entries relating to yo-yoing and nothing else. I then figured, since Jayson’s blog reflected the lack of life he had, it’d be better for him to just start a yo-yoing blog instead since that’s all he had on his own personal pages.
*Jayson Stares*
Alex (grinning):
Haha! I’m just kidding. It really started when Spinworkx was having problems with the forum and website at that time, I figured since there was no place for local players to gather and share their interest in the hobby online, and since Jayson already had a personal blog that featured a lot of yo-yos, what better way than to start a yo-yo blog?
SpinworkX:
Nice, I guess that makes Jayson the head writer for the blog eh? One of my favorite things I like about the blog is the amount of information it provides, from new yo-yos to event coverage, to released videos found in various online forums. Where do you guys manage to get all these information to put on your blog?
Jayson:
With regards to new releases, I tend to get my information from sponsored players or yo-yo manufacturers themselves. The rest of my other information are normally classified.
*Alex bursts into laughter*
Jayson:
What’s so funny? Anyway, back on topic. When the blog first started, the information we provided were rather classified. News which were either posted on limitd forums or not even out to the public yet, we got them first. Nowadays, however, you would notice a lot more manufacturers starting their own blogs, releasing information about their own yo-yos, saving the interesting bits of information for themselves. Since then, we find ourselves doing more compilation from various sources with regards to yo-yoing and post them on the blog.
SpinworkX:
Cool, I see that compilations aren’t the only things you guys do recently though. Kudos towards the interview with Duncan Crew member Brandon Jackson. I thought it was really interesting and fun to read. How was it like chatting up with him?
Alex:
I’m not aware, sorry, Jayson took the lead on this one. From what I read though, it seems really good.
Jayson:
I knew Brandon through a deal I made with him a while back. He’s a really friendly guy and since I’ve always wanted to do interviews with yo-yo players, I figured I’d start with him. Brandon’s an epic Freehand collector, he promoted Duncan like it was his day job, even before he was on the team! So when I found out that he had been lucky enough to be invited into the crew, I was excited for him, and figured it’s be a great idea to interview him as a form of a debut.
SpinworkX:
It’s great how you guys try to find new ways to breathe life into the yo-yo blog, so what future plans do you two have for the blog?
Alex (pondering):
I’m more of a money-oriented person, so makin money would be priority of course! Jokes aside, it would be nice to be scouted and sponsored by a yo-yo company for doing what we do best on the blog. I mean, I like being sponsored…what Singaporean wouldn’t like freebies???? Haha!
Jayson (Stares at Alex for a split second):
I just want more people to read the blog and support it. The blog initially started as a hobby, but nowadays I tend to take it more seriously, checking for updates on a daily basis, digging for insider news. We’re currently in the process of filming local players and trying to showcase them on the blog as well. Hopefully in future, we could print a few T-Shirts and even sell them on the blog too. =)
Alex:
See? I’m not the only one who’s money-minded.
*Jayson nudges Alex in the rib*
SpinworkX:
Ha! It’s great to see that there are people out there who are very enthusiastic about the yo-yo scene and are willing to come out with countless ways to promote the it…
Alex and Jayson:
Thank You!
SpinworkX:
…anyway speaking of filming…I see there’s a recent trailer being put up on the blog featuring Team Freelance…care to share what that’s about?
*Jayson looks to Alex*
Alex:
Ermmmmm, I actually don really know how it’s going but I think there would be one video coming up soon since they have already filmed all the things they need. I don’t think I will be in the film cause I’m working in the shop. I think TFL talks all about feeling if they want to do a not only LAH right BOSS???
*Jayson remains clueless*
SpinworkX:
Hmmm…I guess that means we have to wait till the team leader calls the shots for the editing and release of the video eh? Lol. Anyway, so how has the blog benefited you guys since it opened?
Alex:
I don’t really know cause currently, we are just doing it for fun. But like previously mentioned, I personally hope that in the future someone would sponsor us or recognize our hard work and maybe someone could work something out for us yeah? We are gossip kings after all…by WE I really mean Jayson *glances across*
Jayson:
Wow Alex you’re a real friend you know that?
Alex (Ignoring Jayson):
SO DEAR SPONSORS! PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR BLOG!!!! GIVE SINGAPORE YOING A CHANCE!!!
Jayson (Shoving Alex to one corner):
Aaaanyway…I don’t think we have had any real benefits. But, you guys read the blog right? Do you enjoy it? The only benefit I hope to achieve is recognition, I HAVE been playing with yo-yos since 1998.
Alex:
11 years….WAHAHAHA!
SpinworkX:
Sounds like the two of you certainly know how to have fun when it comes to yo-yo related topics. What else do you guys do outside of yo-yoing though?
Alex:
I like playing the piano when I am not yo-yoing, but I’m not really good at it still. I’m going to take my ABRSM grade 8 exam soon though. I also play badminton with my secondary school friends when I have the time because we use to be in the school team training together. I also like going to the nearby KOPITIAM (coffeeshop) to slack with my friends just like how the uncles do it, and we tell each other how we are going to be like the uncles when we are old. Hahaha!!!! I really love my friends and family, but I’m going NS (National Service, which is mandatory for all males in Singapore) which is quite sad cause there won’t be much time to yo-yo, play the piano, badminton and most impt, SLACK. RIGHT J????
Jayson:
I normally surf the net when I’m not playing, eBaying for Bapes and other stuff. Sometimes I’d shoot hoops if my friends are free, or watch movies at home - Taiwan variety shows on cable vision and youtube. Yea, youtubing.
SpinworkX:
I think I can related to Jayson better than I would with Alex. Wow you seem really packed with lots of activities outside of yo-yoing! It’s really amazing how you can juggle work and play at the same time. Considering how both of you are considered to be old timers in the yo-yoing scene, what advice do you have for new players who intend to make a name for themselves in the industry?
Alex:
Tips? Come find us and we’ll share it with you!!!…for a nominal fee of course. =)
Jayson:
Tsk…you had to say that didn’t you? *shakes head*
Alex:
I kid I kid…the most important thing is to practice in order to be a champion, or you’ll end up being like Jayson, all talk but no tricks…LOL!!!
Jayson:
Pffft…fine.
Alex:
I like poking fun at him I don’t know why, but he’s a really nice guy and I don’t regret knowing him!
Jayson:
Ahem. I always tell new players to make more videos and showcase what their capable off. Practice more, make mistakes, explore weird mounts and most importantly, check out SY Blog more often!!!
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We hope you enjoyed our interview with our two prominent yo-yo players, if you’d like to read up the articles posted by both of them, you can head down to Singapore Yoing and check it out!
Do stay tuned for more exclusive interviews from SpinworkX as we search the globe for interesting players to feature on this blog.
Cheers readers!