Artists
Prince Johal’s performance at WCG is a testament to the potential of Indian gamers
Introducing Prince Johal, a true pioneer in the Indian e-sports scene. Also known by his gaming alias, HI_ISTLER, Prince is a bronze medalist of the World Cyber Games (WCG) 2011. The WCG is the largest celebration of e-sports on the planet, and to have an Indian player win a medal in the event is a historic achievement.
Bronze Medal from WCG Championship , World Cyber Games won by Prince Johal India’s First WCG Champion
Prince has been a competitive gamer for many years and has made a name for himself in the Indian gaming community. He qualified for the Grand Finals of WCG 2011 after winning the national finals of the event. In the tournament, he was placed in Group A in the Full Leagues and competed against some of the best players in the world. Despite facing tough competition and losing all three matches, Prince had a chance to compete for the bronze medal in a rematch against TwinS_KluB, where he emerged victorious and crushed his opponent 3-0.
Prince’s achievement at the WCG 2011 is a testament to the potential of Indian gamers and serves as an inspiration for future generations to come. He is here today to share his experience, his journey and also to talk about the current state of e-sports in India. So, join me as we welcome Prince Johal, the Bronze Medalist of WCG World Cyber Games champion, on Carry On Harry Talk Show.
- What inspired you to start competing in e-sports, and how did you get into gaming?I was always a fan of video games, and I started playing competitively in my early teenage years. I was particularly interested in the strategy and skill involved in competitive gaming, and I enjoyed the challenge of competing against other skilled players. I started to take the competitive scene more seriously in my late teenage years, and I began to participate in online tournaments and local LAN events. Eventually, I started to make a name for myself in the Indian gaming community, and I knew that I wanted to take my passion for gaming to the next level by competing at the highest level.
- Can you tell us about your experience at the World Cyber Games 2011, and what it felt like to win India’s first and only medal at the event?Winning a medal at the World Cyber Games 2011 was an incredible feeling. The WCG is the largest celebration of e-sports on the planet, and to be able to represent India on such a big stage was an honor. The competition was intense, and I faced some of the best players in the world. Despite losing all three matches in the group stage, I had the opportunity to compete for the bronze medal in a rematch against TwinS_KluB and I emerged victorious.Winning a medal at the WCG was a dream come true and it was a huge personal accomplishment for me. It was also a historic moment for India, as it was the first and only medal won by an Indian player in the event till date. It was a very emotional moment for me and my family, who supported me throughout my journey and it felt great to make them proud.
- How do you think the e-sports scene in India has changed since you first started competing?The e-sports scene in India has changed significantly since I first started competing. When I first began, there were very few opportunities for Indian gamers to compete at a professional level, and the e-sports industry was still in its infancy. However, over the past few years, we have seen a rapid growth in the Indian e-sports scene. The number of tournaments and competitions has increased, and there are now more opportunities for Indian gamers to showcase their talents and make a name for themselves.In addition, the Indian government has also started to recognize e-sports as a legitimate profession, and more companies are investing in the industry, which has led to an increase in prize pools and support for professional gamers. The Indian gaming community is also becoming more organized and united, which is a great thing for the future of e-sports in India. Overall, I am happy to see the progress that has been made and I think that the future of e-sports in India looks bright.
- What advice would you give to aspiring gamers in India who want to pursue a career in e-sports?My advice to aspiring gamers in India who want to pursue a career in e-sports would be to stay dedicated and to never give up on your dreams. The e-sports industry is very competitive, and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to succeed. It’s important to practice consistently, to stay up-to-date with the latest strategies and techniques, and to always be willing to learn and improve.Another important aspect is to be a team player and to be part of the gaming community. It’s important to build relationships with other gamers and to work together to build a stronger community. This can include participating in online forums, attending LAN events and joining a team.It’s also important to have a balance between gaming and other aspects of life, such as education or work. E-sports is a profession, but it’s also important to have a plan B in case things don’t work out as planned.Finally, don’t be afraid to take risks and to pursue opportunities as they come. The e-sports industry is constantly evolving, and there are always new opportunities to be found. Be open to new experiences and be willing to put yourself out there. With the right attitude and approach, anything is possible.
- What are your future goals and plans in the e-sports industry?My future goals and plans in the e-sports industry include continuing to compete at the highest level and to represent India on the international stage. I want to continue to improve my skills and to be a leading player in my game of choice. I also hope to continue to be a role model for aspiring gamers in India and to inspire others to pursue their dreams in e-sports.I would also like to give back to the community by mentoring upcoming gamers and being part of the community management and development. I also want to be a part of the decision making process in Indian e-sports Industry, by working with the government, tournament organizers, and other stakeholders to help the industry grow.Finally, I am also looking forward to the opportunities that will arise in the future, such as streaming, content creation and other ways of monetizing e-sports.In short, I want to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the e-sports industry and to be at the forefront of the Indian gaming scene for as long as I can.
It is likely that many people who were involved in the e-sports scene in the past, such as Prince Johal, would have wished that the industry was more developed and recognized as a legitimate profession at an earlier time. They may have regrets that they didn’t have more opportunities to compete at a professional level and make a living out of it. They may also have regrets that they didn’t have the support and resources that are available today.
On the other hand, it’s also possible that some of these individuals are proud of the role they played in helping to lay the foundation for the growth of the e-sports industry in India, and they may take satisfaction in the fact that they helped pave the way for future generations of gamers to have more opportunities.
But in general, the development of e-sports in India has been a gradual process and it’s great to see how far it has come, and the potential it holds for the future.
Prince Johal Asian Age Newspaper
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Tokyo Soul Singer Tyrone Hashimoto Releases New Single Oct. 2, Plays Tokyo Jazz Club Same Night
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Tyrone Hashimoto (born Shunichi Suzuki), a Tokyo-based singer-songwriter,, plans to release his latest single, "Wake Up in the Morning Sun," across streaming platforms on October 2, per his production company Teddy Bear Productions. The artist will celebrate with a live performance by the Lakeside Struttin’ Band at Sometime Jazz the same evening.
The song arrives as the latest entry in what Hashimoto has called the "Music Cruise" series, an ongoing project now in its seventh installment, according to prior coverage of his work. The announcement describes the new track as an offering of encouragement, framed around the idea that a better life is within reach.
Hashimoto has built a four-decade career that spans well beyond his nine solo albums, all recorded in English, and a catalog the announcement puts at more than 600 original songs. He’s written jingles for McDonald’s, KFC, Nissan, Canon, Sharp, Kodak and Tokyo Disneyland, among other clients, and took a bronze prize at the Cannes Commercial Film Festival in 1994 for a Panasonic spot. One commercial job, for the Japanese coffee brand UCC, reportedly involved bringing James Brown into the studio to sing for the ad.
Originally from Yaita in Tochigi prefecture, Japan,, Hashimoto won the Grand Prix at the first All Japan Folk Music Festival at age 17, citing Simon & Garfunkel and Peter, Paul and Mary among his early influences. He went on to work with Haruomi Hosono’s Tin Pan Alley project, played a role in Yellow Magic Orchestra’s debut album, and became an original member of La Orquesta Del Sol, described in the announcement as Japan’s first major salsa band.
His American profile traces back to a 1987 visit to Seattle, where local press and broadcasters, including KIRO, KUOW and NBC affiliate KING5, covered his music; a KING5 documentary profiling the artist that was subsequently distributed to 37 additional U.S. markets. He has also taught voice and guitar to more than 1,000 students, including Japanese musicians Sugizo, Miyavi, Takeru and Junya Enoki, and recently received an honorary doctorate in music education from University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the Philippines.
For Studio CarryOnHarry, the throughline here isn’t the single itself but the career behind it: a working musician who has moved fluidly between recording artist, jingle writer and educator for going on 40 years, in two countries, without a signature hit driving any of it.
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According to the announcement, the record lands following months of roster adjustments that solidified the five-member configuration, and the record is framed as the sound of that lineup settling into place. The band describes the title not as a literal question but as a kind of shrug, an expression of the loose, sideways attitude that runs through the tracklist.
The EP opens with “Feeling Sideways,” which the band positions as the reset point for this new phase, constructed from restless grooves and crooked rhythms, per the band’s description. The focus single, “Crooked,” follows, built around jagged guitar work, live drums and a melodic bassline, with the line “I move crooked but I land just right” serving as the track’s stated thesis.
“Morning Sun” is described as a tonal shift toward something wider and brighter, using imagery like a “paper weight sky” to move from heavier material toward something more lifted. “Not Lost” continues that throughline lyrically, with the band pointing to the line “I’m not lost, I’m just aligned / With the beat that hides between your time” as a statement of purpose. The EP closes with “My Shadow’s Got Its Own Mind,” which the announcement calls a late-night, low-lit close to the record, framing the band’s embrace of unpredictability as a deliberate stance rather than a lack of direction.
Taken together, the band and its team describe What The …. as the clearest statement yet of Song 1’s identity: an alternative indie-punk work anchored in big hooks, live-wire guitars and knowing self-awareness about not fitting a mold.
Studio CarryOnHarry will be watching whether “Crooked” gives the band a genuine breakout moment beyond the EP cycle, since focus singles built around a clear lyrical hook are often where a band either finds a wider audience or doesn’t.
No compass or straight lines required, as the band themselves put it, just an audience willing to turn it up.
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