We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Liv Roskos. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Liv below.
Alright, Liv thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?
As a full time events producer and artist that really feels like she is just getting started in her career at the age of 31, I often think about where I would be in my life and career if I would have been full time at the age of 18.
At the same time, I’m a believer that everything happens when it’s supposed to. I was just listening to a sermon that was talking about not despising the small beginnings. One of the sermon points was, “There is an order of development that can not be rushed, skipped, or delayed”.
I often think back to when I was 25 and how in that season I so desperately wanted to quit my job at the time and launch full time into the creative arts. Looking back, I realize that I was NOT ready.
There were lessons I still needed to learn. In those 5 years I learned how to be more resilient, better manage negative emotions, deal with situations that felt hopeless, push myself to accomplish more than I ever thought possible.
It was through my current job at the time I acquired the skills that are helping me excel now as a full time creative. I would have cracked under the pressure and God knew at the time that I wasn’t ready.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Liv Peterson and I’m a full time Events Producer and Creative. For a long time, I didn’t know what was my title was because as an artist and entrepreneur you are always wearing so many hats.
As an Events Producer, I create meaningful and excellent event experiences for the creative and audience alike. These events range from music performances, book discussions, art galleries, open mics, workshops, meet and greets, multimedia events, etc.
As a Creative, I’m a vocalist and violinist. My music is birthed Her music is birthed out of the everyday human experience. Through an eclectic mix of jazz/soul/pop fusion, I desire to share stories of hope, love, & inspiration.
I also am an events manager for a hip hop artist and offer event production & booking for artists throughout the city of Chicago. My goal over the next year is to start an independent creative consulting business for emerging artists and entrepreneurs.
I think one thing that sets me apart from others is my ability to naturally connect with so many different types of people. I love getting to know people and hearing about their passions, goals, and dreams. I love to plug people, provide them with opportunities, and see them excel and thrive in their crafts. I’m willing to share my resources and connections and believe this kind of thinking and attitude can really help the creative community prosper.
One of the things I’m most proud of in my creative career is the safe space that I’ve helped to create with OAD Productions at Overflow Coffee in South Loop, Chicago. I started a series called Acoustic Afternoons which has become a creative hub for many artists and creatives in the community. It’s been amazing to see the natural connections many artists have made in that space. I’ve seen creatives collaborate with each other, get shows, provide gigs, and grow in their confidence all by being apart of this Thursday afternoon bi-weekly series.
I’m also proud of creating an environment that welcomes and encourage cross generational collaborations. I think oftentimes creatives get so locked into their own genres of music and mediums of creating that we forget to think outside the box. I think providing a safe space where artists of all levels, ages, and backgrounds can learn from each other and perform together is critical in creating meaningful art.
For upcoming music, projects, and to stay in touch with all that I’m doing as a creative, people can visit my new website www.livroskos.com.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When I transitioned full time into my role as an Events Producer at Overflow Coffee in the South Loop of Chicago, we had to walk through a lot of red tape and bureaucracy from the city of Chicago in getting the proper licensing to run events at our location. During the time while we were waiting for our licensing, we were unable to have ticked events and event space rentals. At this time, I could have just been discouraged and given up on having events for a while.
I had to learn how to strategize during this season and find creative solutions to put together free community events that prioritized relationship building. I spent those 4-6 months building collaborations and relationships with multiple art organizations, people of influence, and a local liberal arts college. During that season, I built a structure and foundation that helped me in the future with gaining sponsorships & grant funding.
Over the past few years I have grown in my confidence as a creative. In the moments where I feel stuck or if it’s not possible, I’ve tried to take a day or even a couple of hours to take a step back and try to find a different way. Sometimes when we are so stuck in the process it’s difficult to find a solution. What has helped me find a solution in those moments is things like taking a walk, praying, meditating, doing something fun, leaving the project for a day and working on something completely different, and brainstorming and writing down all the connections, networks, and resources I have that could assist me with finding an answer.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
The mission that drives my creative journey is the understanding and knowledge that others are influenced by the message I offer. Whether it’s through a connection that I make for someone hosting a show or the impact my lyrics have on someone at a show I sang at, I want that person to feel like they were left better than they came.
I truly desire to cultivate atmospheres and spaces where artists and creatives feel valued, seen, and cared for. I want the legacy and work I’m involved with to provide people with hope, love, and lead them closer to who God is. This is the overall goal and mission that drives every person I meet, every collaborator I work with, and every experience I work to foster.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.livroskos.com
- Instagram: livroskos
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livroskosmusic
- Twitter: livroskosmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbsiJ3VKIz8
Image Credits
Photos by Imagery by Chioma and Brianna Meshone