Glam Tie Media celebrates first big year, makes impact in Chicago's LGBT community
Thu. February 13, 2014 4:55 PM by Anthony Morgano
glam tie's jordan lindley
photo credit // annalise freytag photography
Chicago, IL -
Chicago-based production and video company Glam Tie Media, best known for the video of the Chicago Gay Hockey Association's spoof of "All I Want For Christmas" that went viral in December, celebrated its one year anniversary on January 29. For 22-year-old founder, videographer and promoting artist Jordan Lindley, it's been a year of growth and exploration as he's seen his dreams and future come to life before his eyes.
"I started this company so I could bring a little more motion visual to the fashion industry and the music industry and help promote growth for local artists, models and performers," Lindley told ChicagoPride.com. "It's hard to start in this industry, so I'm trying to promote them so I can get their names out there... and I try to be as artistic as I can when I can be -- when I'm allowed."
Lindley grew up in Laurium, MI, a small town outside of Calumet that he describes as the last stop in the Upper Peninsula before hitting Lake Superior. A lifelong fan of skiing, ice skating and snow, Lindley appreciates his small-town upbringing ("you can literally go from one end to the other in 15 minutes," he laughs), but admits that it's easier to idolize it since moving to the Windy City for college five years ago. He credits his family and especially his mother -- lovingly called Mama Glam -- for giving him the support and encouragement needed to help him get out and pursue a future in media.
"My mom is pretty much what pushed me to be able to do all of this," Lindley said. "Everybody was against me coming here for school, they all said 'you should stay in-state, you should focus on here, they probably have a good school somewhere closer,' but my mom said 'no, you need to get out and see the world -- realize there's something more than this small town.'"
"I owe a lot of it to her and to my family because they're so supportive," he continued. "They're definitely inspirational to my future."
While attending the Illinois Institute of Art, Lindley honed his interest in video and discovered a preference for creating short projects like music videos and runway videos over something like a feature-length film. He built his portfolio with lots of freelancing, working with companies like Modern Luxury to direct, shoot and edit videos.
Through projects like these and attending black tie and other networking events, Lindley grew his list of connections as well as his presence as a media professional. Despite being only 21-years-old, Lindley decided that the next step in his career, and the best way to gain experience
in the field doing what he wanted, was to start his own company.
"A lot of the businesses I did work for weren't doing exactly what I wanted to do," Lindley said.
"They were doing video but for like weddings and social events that I didn't really care about and, you know, rich people birthday parties and such. I wanted to branch out and do something more, so since I spent years trying to find the perfect company and couldn't, I decided to start my own."
After only a year, Glam Tie boasts a portfolio that includes runway videos, model movies and other fashion coverage, music videos and footage from events and concerts. Lindley and Glam Tie Media have worked with companies like the record label Vicious Muse, SPLASH Magazine, Glossed & Found, CLEONS Clothing, Veuve Clicquot, Saks Fifth Avenue and many more.
Glam Tie is also becoming a well-known name in Chicago's gay community. Last summer, Lindley worked with Scarlet Bar and Red Bull (a dream come true, "I live on that stuff," he joked) to produce videos of Chicago's Pride Fest and especially Scarlet's Pride celebrations.
He returned, partnering again with Scarlet Bar, Veev and Queerty, to shoot Northalsted Market Days and Scarlet's after-party featuring Captains of Industry.
Lindley also created videos depicting the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality in October.
Vicious Muse, the record label Glam Tie Media works closely with, ran the stage, giving LIndley VIP access and the chance to meet and talk with movers and shakers while filming the march and ensuing rally and concert.
"Most videographers and photographers look up to different styles or get inspired by different movies or filmmakers, but I get inspired by music because I listen to it like 85% of the day, everyday," Lindley told ChicagoPride.com. "I started out in fashion and now I'm branching out even more into the music industry, so I still have a foot on fashion but music is more my go-to now."
Glam Tie's first project, a music video for Chicago singer-songwriter Stephen Leonard's single "Wanting It All," also led him to the video that put him on the map. Leonard, a member of the Chicago Gay Hockey Association, reached out to Lindley to create a music video Christmas card to go with the team's cover of "All I Want For Christmas Is You," Mariah Carey's popular holiday anthem. The video went viral this Christmas, gaining widespread attention from both local and national news outlets.
"We didn't expect it to go as viral as it did, it just kind of happened on its own," Lindley said of the video, which was actually created pretty last-minute. ""When Stephen [Leonard] called me... it was just two of my favorite things -- I love Christmas and I love hockey -- so I was like 'count me in!'"
Lindley already has big plans for Glam Tie Media's second year. His first project is teaming up with singer songwriter and female football player (for the Chicago Force) Sami Grisafe, who he worked with when shooting her performance at the March on Springfield. Grisafe is on the cusp of going global, including an upcoming interview with FUSE TV, and Lindley is creating her very first official music video. Glam Tie will also be partnering with Scarlet Bar again to cover not only Chicago's Pride celebrations, but to travel to St. Louis and Milwaukee for footage of those events as well.
As for the long-term future of Glam Tie Media, Lindley sees himself staying in Chicago for a few more years as he builds his portfolio and develops his skills as a director, editor and videographer. After that, this Yooper is bound for New York City, which Lindley says is the center of the music and fashion industries he wants to be a part of.
"I feel like I'm still getting my feet in the water," Lindley said. "I'm always learning, I'm not quite there yet, so I definitely want to stay in here a little longer and see what I can do and follow my dreams and then head to New York."
For more about Glam Tie Media and to see Lindley's creations, visit Glam Tie Media on the web.
"I started this company so I could bring a little more motion visual to the fashion industry and the music industry and help promote growth for local artists, models and performers," Lindley told ChicagoPride.com. "It's hard to start in this industry, so I'm trying to promote them so I can get their names out there... and I try to be as artistic as I can when I can be -- when I'm allowed."
Lindley grew up in Laurium, MI, a small town outside of Calumet that he describes as the last stop in the Upper Peninsula before hitting Lake Superior. A lifelong fan of skiing, ice skating and snow, Lindley appreciates his small-town upbringing ("you can literally go from one end to the other in 15 minutes," he laughs), but admits that it's easier to idolize it since moving to the Windy City for college five years ago. He credits his family and especially his mother -- lovingly called Mama Glam -- for giving him the support and encouragement needed to help him get out and pursue a future in media.
"My mom is pretty much what pushed me to be able to do all of this," Lindley said. "Everybody was against me coming here for school, they all said 'you should stay in-state, you should focus on here, they probably have a good school somewhere closer,' but my mom said 'no, you need to get out and see the world -- realize there's something more than this small town.'"
"I owe a lot of it to her and to my family because they're so supportive," he continued. "They're definitely inspirational to my future."
While attending the Illinois Institute of Art, Lindley honed his interest in video and discovered a preference for creating short projects like music videos and runway videos over something like a feature-length film. He built his portfolio with lots of freelancing, working with companies like Modern Luxury to direct, shoot and edit videos.
Through projects like these and attending black tie and other networking events, Lindley grew his list of connections as well as his presence as a media professional. Despite being only 21-years-old, Lindley decided that the next step in his career, and the best way to gain experience
in the field doing what he wanted, was to start his own company.
"A lot of the businesses I did work for weren't doing exactly what I wanted to do," Lindley said.
"They were doing video but for like weddings and social events that I didn't really care about and, you know, rich people birthday parties and such. I wanted to branch out and do something more, so since I spent years trying to find the perfect company and couldn't, I decided to start my own."
After only a year, Glam Tie boasts a portfolio that includes runway videos, model movies and other fashion coverage, music videos and footage from events and concerts. Lindley and Glam Tie Media have worked with companies like the record label Vicious Muse, SPLASH Magazine, Glossed & Found, CLEONS Clothing, Veuve Clicquot, Saks Fifth Avenue and many more.
Glam Tie is also becoming a well-known name in Chicago's gay community. Last summer, Lindley worked with Scarlet Bar and Red Bull (a dream come true, "I live on that stuff," he joked) to produce videos of Chicago's Pride Fest and especially Scarlet's Pride celebrations.
He returned, partnering again with Scarlet Bar, Veev and Queerty, to shoot Northalsted Market Days and Scarlet's after-party featuring Captains of Industry.
Lindley also created videos depicting the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality in October.
Vicious Muse, the record label Glam Tie Media works closely with, ran the stage, giving LIndley VIP access and the chance to meet and talk with movers and shakers while filming the march and ensuing rally and concert.
"Most videographers and photographers look up to different styles or get inspired by different movies or filmmakers, but I get inspired by music because I listen to it like 85% of the day, everyday," Lindley told ChicagoPride.com. "I started out in fashion and now I'm branching out even more into the music industry, so I still have a foot on fashion but music is more my go-to now."
Glam Tie's first project, a music video for Chicago singer-songwriter Stephen Leonard's single "Wanting It All," also led him to the video that put him on the map. Leonard, a member of the Chicago Gay Hockey Association, reached out to Lindley to create a music video Christmas card to go with the team's cover of "All I Want For Christmas Is You," Mariah Carey's popular holiday anthem. The video went viral this Christmas, gaining widespread attention from both local and national news outlets.
"We didn't expect it to go as viral as it did, it just kind of happened on its own," Lindley said of the video, which was actually created pretty last-minute. ""When Stephen [Leonard] called me... it was just two of my favorite things -- I love Christmas and I love hockey -- so I was like 'count me in!'"
Lindley already has big plans for Glam Tie Media's second year. His first project is teaming up with singer songwriter and female football player (for the Chicago Force) Sami Grisafe, who he worked with when shooting her performance at the March on Springfield. Grisafe is on the cusp of going global, including an upcoming interview with FUSE TV, and Lindley is creating her very first official music video. Glam Tie will also be partnering with Scarlet Bar again to cover not only Chicago's Pride celebrations, but to travel to St. Louis and Milwaukee for footage of those events as well.
As for the long-term future of Glam Tie Media, Lindley sees himself staying in Chicago for a few more years as he builds his portfolio and develops his skills as a director, editor and videographer. After that, this Yooper is bound for New York City, which Lindley says is the center of the music and fashion industries he wants to be a part of.
"I feel like I'm still getting my feet in the water," Lindley said. "I'm always learning, I'm not quite there yet, so I definitely want to stay in here a little longer and see what I can do and follow my dreams and then head to New York."
For more about Glam Tie Media and to see Lindley's creations, visit Glam Tie Media on the web.