We had the good fortune of connecting with Liv Roskos and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Liv, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued a creative career because I truly desire to see artists feel loved and appreciated for their craft. I’ve known ever since I was young that I was a natural connector and networker and feel like one of my biggest skills is creating experiences and spaces for artists to thrive.
For years I really thought pursuing an artistic career meant just being on stage and performer. I’ve learned to think beyond that. Although, I truly enjoy singing and being on stage, I also love facilitating an experience, hosting shows, and helping other artists dream, grow, and manage their careers and gifts.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I feel like artists and creatives wear a lot of hats and when asked to describe your “art” it’s never a straightforward answer.
Professionally I would call my self a creative producer. My day job is the events producer at a coffee shop called Overflow Coffee-the former home of the famous Vee Jay & Brunswick Record. This location in the heart of the South Loop put a number of soul legends and artists on the map. It was Vee Jay Records that brought the Beatles to the United States and cut their first record. It was in this place that the Chi-Lites made hit records.
It is an immense privilege to create events & experiences alongside artists for audiences across Chicago. I have had the pleasure to work with and interview incredible artists making an impact with their music across Chicago and the world.
The space I desire to create as a creative producer is one of authenticity, love, and belonging. From the minute the artist walks into the space and meets me, I want them to feel like they matter, their story matters, and their art means something.
Before I was hired full time as an events producer, I was consulted to put together shows and was building these experiences on the side for years. There was for a period of several years where I was working a full time job and then would get off of work to build out timeline and schedules for shows. It was definitely challenging, but I kept going because I felt joy doing it and knew it was something I was gifted in and encouraged other artists.
Outside of producing events, I’m also a vocalist. I’m currently working on an EP that I hope to have finished up and out in January. I feel like a lot of life has happened over the past few years (grief, transistions, figuring out being a new mom) and the creative process of putting out music has been slow. I feel sometimes because the process for me is a slow grind, I’m leery to call myself an artist or vocalist. I’m learning to be ok with that fact that “the slow grind is better than no grind”. I’m still an artist, even if things are taking a while or if I’ve had to take a break from creating for a while.
The lessons I’ve learned along the way is to trust timing and the process. I remember 4 or so years ago, I wanted to quit my job and launch full time into my creative career. I wasn’t ready. It was what I learned at that job that provided me with the people, problem solving, and communication skills to excel in the career I’m in now. I would have crashed and burned or relied to heavily on my boss or coworkers to make decisions for me.
Don’t take for granted the small things; the little successes, the tedious day to day monotonous tasks, the boring stuff. Those things are what provide you with the discipline and wisdom to strategize and execute well.
I want the world to know Liv Roskos and my brand as a professional, safe, & loving space for both the audience & artists to be welcomed into. Whether I’m singing or planning an event, I want people to feel included in the story and feel more open and honest with themselves and others.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Whew! A week long trip? There is so much to do in Chicago it’s really overwhelming. I would start off by marking all my favorite local coffee shops in the city- Portage Grounds, Perkolator, Overflow Coffee, and Ipsento. We might get lunch at a rooftop or Beatrix in the West Loop-and if it was a Sunday enjoy Brunch & Bands at Tribe in the West Loop.
We would go thrifting in Logan Square or Wicker Park and then maybe eat half price Sushi at Miku in Lincoln Square. From there we could watch a movie.
After the movie we might head to Celese downtown for dancing or play some arcade games at Emporium.
Almost any night of the week I probably would just scroll through my IG feed and see a ton of different amazing artists I know with shows all over the city. Besides the food-I love Chicago for the music. I would probably take them to see Alysha Monique or Sam Thousand perform someplace.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would have to say my husband Dex. Although we are really different and he is not an entrepreneur or in the arts, I’ve gained a lot of wisdom and insight from him. He is a natural observer and I think because he is not an artist-he is able to see things that I’m blind to or the ways in which I can bias when it comes to the arts and how I deal with things.
Dex grounds me and helps me stay balanced. He always describes our relationships as the kite and the rock. He is the rock that keeps the kite grounded, and I’m the kite that slowly but surely moves the rock when it’s too afraid to move.
Instagram: livroskos
Twitter: livroskos
Facebook: livroskos
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5kHnAX_CrknF0AMAStnkew
Other: I will be launching a brand new website in November 2022!
Image Credits
Imagery by Chioma & Andre Jamar Photography