FLETCH

What is your name?

Tom Alexander Fletcher (@fletch.dama)

Where is home?

West Yorkshire Pennines - up in the valleys between Leeds & Manchester.

How/when did kendama/SK become part of your life and who was involved?

I was introduced to kendama on 4/20 in 2018 when a friend of a friend (George Eley) brought it to

the garden sesh, I jammed cups all that day & by the time I got home I felt ready to order my first

dama, jumped online & bought a black and white half-split Royal.

Describe your play-style in three words.

Stall-y / Tech-y / Grind-y

Preferred string length/wood type/shape etc.

8/9 finger string / Ash when it’s fresh / Sol 1up shape is my go to, but I’ve been really enjoying the new

GT shapes (E2, EBH).

What is your most cherished kendama memory?

My most cherished memory in Kendama would definitely have to be meeting the SK team for the first

time in person last summer, jamming in Blackpool, big group games of KEN. This definitely felt like the

start of something that would last.

What else are you passionate about?

Listening to GOOD music on BIG speakers, spending silly amounts of time deep in nonsense

conversations with my mates, video editing, cycling (I’m on a bike every single day), exploring new

places, seeing exhibitions, long train/car journeys, generally being active & mobile (LIFE NEVER STOPS).

What music do you listen to?

Big question.

Since I started listening to music I’ve always been into hip hop, recently I’m super into the UK scene &

some of my favourite artists are: CLBRKS, Lee Scott, Slowthai, Pa Salieu. I also have always loved Jazz,

and I played Double Bass for years - I’m really into the current UK jazz scene (Yussef Dayes, Alfa Mist,

Gogo Penguin, Kokoroko). I also love finding obscure electronica and dance stuff, Jungle, DnB, House,

Funky, Footwurk (anything that keeps me movin).

Fun fact about yourself?

I started juggling when I was like 11, this was the first thing that got me into the hand-eye coordination

obsession! Throughout my life I’ve always carried on my person something to play with.

Final thoughts/shout-outs

Big up SK for being the real homies, it’s a massive honour to be seshing and grinding alongside some of

the maddest players in the scene.

Big up my mum, dad and sister for never thinking I’m just ‘wasting my time’ and being ultimately

supportive in this journey (and all my other journeys).

Big up to caffeine & nicotine for keeping me going. I’ll wean myself off eventually.

Love.