Since the inception of Long Beach record label Sounds Are Active, mastermind and musician Chris Schlarb knew that musical diversity was its cornerstone. Free Jazz, Hip Hop, Noise, Punk, Progressive Rock, and Electronic genres live happily side by side and, occasionally, merged into new amalgams. Artists on the roster include Soul-Junk, Bizzart, Viva Voce’s Kevin Robinson and, in September, a CD release from legendary guitarists Nels Cline (Wilco) and G.E. Stinson (Shadowfax) titled Elevating Device.

Schlarb’s recent solo release, Twilight and Ghost Stories, received wide-spread critical acclaim and led to his performing live with assorted local musicians in Athens, Manhattan, and San Francisco. Also, he received a grant from Meet The Composers, through the MetLife Foundation, for a three-day stint in Austin.

Schlarb met me at a local Pizza restaurant where, with classic rock blasting in the background, we talked about the label’s evolution, his various recording and performing projects, and his work as a producer.