Carl Mateo

Carl Mateo is a Hudson Valley–based singer-songwriter whose work is steeped in the rich tradition of Americana. Known for his soulful, emotionally resonant performances, Mateo weaves together guitar, piano, and harmonica to tell stories rooted in place and human connection. His songs draw inspiration from the landscape of upstate New York and the lives of the friends, family, and wanderers who have passed through it.

His most recent release, Time to Fly—recorded under the Mateo and Dougan Band moniker—showcases a wide emotional and thematic range. Tracks like “Seventeen Years” explore the long road toward inner peace, while “Lay Down” captures both the urge to escape and the freedom of surrender. “Devil’s in the Courtyard” reflects a yearning for lost innocence, and “Hey English” celebrates enduring love. Elsewhere, “I’ll Be Waiting” offers a haunting portrait of regret, while the gospel-infused “Revelator” nods to Son House’s a cappella take on “John the Revelator.” “Lullabye Moon” brings a playful, mountain-top energy with its funky groove, and “Jake and the Bean” pays tribute to a lost friend in a changing neighborhood. The title track, “Time to Fly,” closes the record with a sense of release and possibility—a gesture toward transformation and open skies.

Mateo is currently in the studio working on a new album slated for release in Fall 2026.

Over the years, both as a solo artist and bandleader, Mateo has shared the stage with a diverse array of acclaimed performers, including John Hammond Jr., Jorma Kaukonen, Robert Hunter, Suzanne Vega, Larry Campbell, David Johansen, John Doe and X, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, and David Bromberg. He is also deeply connected to the Woodstock music community, collaborating closely with musicians such as Peter Dougan, Eric Parker, and Kyle Esposito, who form the core of the Carl Mateo Band.

Beyond music, Mateo is a working textile artist. Alongside his partner, fine artist and designer Sharon Broit, he creates organic cotton knitwear under the Sharon London brand. When not traveling the art fair circuit, he returns to his primary focus: crafting songs, telling stories, and continuing the creative cycle that defines his life and work.