MEET OUR TEAM
Here are the nine individuals that keep Real Ones running! Book us! Contact us!
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On-camera host, co-head of cannabis, production assistant, playlist curator
ABOUT TYREL
Tyrel Alejandro Tchinchinian, originally from New Jersey, is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago’s class of 2022, majoring in film and minoring in hip-hop studies. He helps with merch design, live events, interviews and more for Real Ones. Some of his favorite interview credits include Kaelin Ellis, Benji., James Vickery, Lilly Aviana and Dende.
BOOK TYREL FOR
Tour management/tour driving/merch selling
Production assistant work
CONTACT TYREL
Instagram: @tyrel.alejandro
Email: tyrel.alejandro@gmail.com
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On-camera host, graphic design, social media assistance, merch design, playlist curator
ABOUT SYDNI
My name is Sydni Dorsey, and I was born and raised on the west side of Chicago. I began my journey in the Chicago creative scene as a model in local fashion shows and photoshoots, which eventually led me to explore event curation and music journalism. Some of the most memorable interviews I've had the pleasure of conducting include conversations with Kevin Gates, Saba, and Veeze. I am passionate about connecting with my local community and spend my free time seeking out new ways to engage with and contribute to it. My ultimate goal is to inspire others while staying inspired myself.
BOOK SYDNI FOR
Social media content creation
Panel hosting
Modeling
Rollout direction
CONTACT SYDNI
Instagram: @cluelessful
Twitter: @brown4ngel
Email: sydnidorsey@gmail.com
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Photographer, head of partnerships, on-camera host, playlist curator
ABOUT JORDAN
My involvement with Chicago’s music scene began in 2018 when I became an intern at PVTSTCK. I chose to apply for the position there because I knew I needed to grow from Waukegan and put myself in the position to learn, practice my craft, and build more relationships outside of my hometown. I think every project I do is important and it’s imperative to treat each one as such; with that being said, I shot the album cover for Flex Sinatra’s album Separation, filmed Chicago Votes interview with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, formerly the Navy Pier photographer, and was featured in a gallery by Modern Notoriety and Lids.
I joined Real Ones because of their authenticity and commitment to the artistic community here in Chicago. It was clear to me that this is a group of driven people who were doing great work for the right reasons.
BOOK JORDAN
Album covers
Press photos
Concerts
Headshots.
CONTACT JORDAN
Instagram: @heavybutlite
Email: HeavyButLite@gmail.com
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On-camera host, co-head of cannabis, production assistant, Website Editor-In-Chief
ABOUT ALEJANDRO
My name is Alejandro Hernandez. I aim to understand the way we share experiences and come together as people. I do this through my writing and in-depth conversations. Growing up in Chicago gave me the sense of perspective that can be found in my work. I believe we're always growing, and our growth must be shared with others. From my combined experience doing college radio, freelance writing, and podcasting, I have been actively documenting the stories of everyday Chicagoans for over eight years. Even members of the most overlooked communities have a voice. My mission is to give those people a platform to amplify it.
Within the Real Ones team, I like to take a “be water” approach and get in where I fit in. I’m known for doing interviews, but I also have experience in photography and being a PA. Outside of Real Ones, you can find me biking, watching baseball, or listening to obscure jazz records.
HIRE ALEJANDRO FOR
Writing (copy, creative, bio/press releases)
Interviews
Public speaking
Panel moderation
CONTACT ALEJANDRO
IG: @drointhewind_
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Lead videographer
ABOUT JOSH
Although a passionate listener and fan of music throughout his childhood, Josh Horton first got involved in the Chicago music scene by going to live shows in 2017. In 2019, while at school in St. Louis, Josh was shooting videos for small underground shows whenever he could. Returning home in 2021, Josh was able to build relationships with great people in the Chicago music scene at local shows. His first experience with Real Ones came in December 2022 when he shot and edited video footage for The Igloo at Cole’s Bar. Since, he’s become a go-to on the Real Ones crew for artist interviews and has been behind the camera for many of Real Ones biggest interviews to date, including Zack Fox, JPEGMAFIA, Kevin Gates, and most memorably, traveled to LA for Camp Flog Gnaw. Some of Josh’s other favorite projects have included directing a mini-documentary series with The Ghetto Flower and filming Lyrical Lemonade interviews at Summer Smash 2023. His current favorite Chicago artists are Saba, Kaicrewsade & ICYTWAT
BOOK JOSH FOR
Directing documentary style projects
Cinematography for sit-down interviews
Live event / Concert Videography
CONTACT JOSH
Instagram: @joshhort0n
Website: joshhorton.work
Email: joshuahorton333@gmail.com
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Co-founder, Head of Content, Head of Booking, Co-Head of Playlisting, Head of Social Media
ABOUT BEN
Born and raised in the suburbs of New York, Ben moved to the Midwest in 2018 to pursue a journalism degree at Northwestern University and hasn’t looked back since. Starting his journey in music as a concert reviewer for student radio station WNUR, Ben fell in love with the close knit nature of Chicago’s underground music community. In the summer of 2020, he began recording the Real Ones Podcast, with the goal of uplifting local musicians and community organizers. Since, he's conducted interviews with over 50 artists, put together near-monthly live shows beginning in the summer of 2022 and created Real Ones' flagship playlists: Coldest in Chicago and ROtation.
Favorite interview credits include Pink Sweat$, femdot., PawPaw Rod and Baby Rose and favorite shows Real Ones has thrown include REAL SOFT REAL TENDER, Jersey in Chicago and The Igloo.
When he’s not working on Real Ones, Ben can be found sending emails for his day job (publicist at indie record label Nettwerk), taking long walks, rooting for the Knicks or filling out a crossword puzzle.
BOOK BEN
Ben is currently not available for any freelance work.
CONTACT BEN
Instagram: @ben.m
Email: bmskow@gmail.com
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Photographer, assistant booking director, playlist curator, production assistant, digital marketing specialist, on-camera host
ABOUT ELIZABETH
I’m Elizabeth Rosales, a multi-disciplinary creative and professional who specializes in photography, music curation, and digital marketing. My love for music and media developed at a young age where I spent most of my time finding comfort in music and art, often finding myself learning new skills and hobbies to elevate my knowledge. My goal is to inspire other people like me—women and my BIPOC peers—to thrive in the music industry and to help advance our careers by providing a sense of united community and support.
BOOK ELIZABETH FOR
Portrait photography
Film photography
Digital marketing consulting
CONTACT ELIZABETH
Instagram: @filmbae35
Website: http://elizabeth-rosales.com
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Videographer / photographer
ABOUT MOLLIE
Mollie Ryan is a photographer and videographer from Oak Park, Illinois. Never quite being fond of being in front of the camera, she got into photography in 2018 after a friend took portraits of her, and just loved the way that specific shoot made her feel, thus wanting to share that same feeling of self-love with others. From there, she picked up an old DSLR camera from her family and began shooting. This love evolved further during the pandemic when she started working as a production assistant for Chicago music video creators, working her way up the video production ladder; from production management to set dresser to gaffer to director. Specializing in portraiture and cover art, she takes pride in making others feel good about themselves and thrives in team-oriented environments.
Her introduction to Real Ones began in 2023 by taking video of the team’s coverage at West Fest, and has since then played an invaluable role in providing general team support. Always having a passion for Chicago’s music scene and bringing others’ creative vision to life, 2023 was also the year she began shooting music videos, most notably for Jessie DeFranco, Patrick Sun, JAAS, and Amira Jazeera. In 2024, the video she shot and directed for Jazeera’s “Still Thinkin’ Bout Me” even premiered at New York’s world-famous Times Square, introducing the world to her creative capabilities.
BOOK MOLLIE FOR
Music video direction
Photography
Interview videography
CONTACT MOLLIE
Instagram: @tamollie_
Email: mollieryan@att.net
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Roles: Co-founder of Real Ones and Project FILO Head of NY operations. Co-head of playlisting.
ABOUT BRANDON
Brandon is a creative entrepreneur with ‘artists first’ principles. Serving as Co-Founder for both Real Ones and Project FILO, Brandon is also the Director of A&R and Head of Project management at KOGO. Moreover, Brandon has the honor of managing three talented artists: SoloSam, Brittney Carter & Yaz León.
While based in New York, with the rest of the team being in Chicago, Brandon still plays an active role in Real Ones. Namely in helping facilitate weekly meetings, co-curating playlists and strategizing long-term growth, on top of being an overall ambassador for securing brand partnerships.
BOOK BRANDON FOR
Freelance music PR
CONTACT BRANDON
Instagram: @filo.brandon
Twitter: @filobrandon
Email: artistmgmtbrandon@gmail.com