Stonemonk
Singer, Musician and Producer from Portland, OR.
Simple Man is Streaming Now
My new single, a rendition of "Simple Man," is streaming worldwide.It's a tribute to my mom, Carla Jean.This song always reminds me of her and sums up my relationship with the woman who raised me. The lyrics encapsulate the essence of what she taught me growing up and how to live life properly.Because of that, I chose it as the song we were going to dance to at my wedding in 2021.Sadly, fate decided otherwise. After a grueling 6-week spiral across three hospitals and a life-flight helicopter, I watched my mom pass away from complications of COVID on St. Patrick's Day of 2020, just as the global pandemic was shutting down the world.She left this realm four months after I proposed to my wife.So I decided to perform it live at my wedding as a tribute instead, with my good friend and bandmate, Tobby Lugo, playing guitar and singing backup.We finally recorded it in my studio in early 2025, where we wrote and recorded guitar solos, one for both our moms. Tobby wrote out and mixed his vocal harmonies at his studio. Those finishing touches left me speechless in their beauty.I spent many months working on the mix in post-production, ensuring it was something my mom would be proud of. I am very pleased with the outcome and excited to share this rendition of this iconic song with you.I think my mom would have loved this. I hope you do too.
Under The Covers:
The Pandemic Years
"Something In The Way" and "Nutshell" were recorded in 2020 under lockdown. Along with "Simple Man," they are part of an upcoming EP of solo acoustic tribute songs called:"Under The Covers: The Pandemic Years"These two songs were released in December 2022 as a tribute to my younger sister, Holly, a month after she passed away of liver failure, following years of struggling with drug addiction, alcoholism, mental health issues and homelessness.She was 42. She is survived by four beautiful and brilliant children.We all miss her fiercely.
When The Monsters Come
Here's an original song I wrote in early 2025. I was working on another song at the time, following yet another heavy personal loss.Late into the dark night of a long studio session, this song sort of emerged, just as you hear it. The lyrics were from a poem I scribbled into my notebook months prior and these chords lined up perfectly with them. So I recorded it.One take. No edits. Just raw emotion and an eerie premonition of what we are living through at this very moment.
Vocals, guitars, cellos, and piano by Carl Sundberg
Mixed, mastered, and engineered by Carl Sundberg
Guitars and vocals on "Simple Man" by Tobby Lugo
Backing vocals on "Simple Man" mixed by Tobby Lugo
Lyrics and music of "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lyrics and music of "Something in the Way" by Nirvana
Lyrics and music of "Nutshell" by Alice in Chains
Lyrics and music of "When The Monsters Come" by Carl Sundberg
2025 Stonemonk Media
Record Label: 3943336 Records DK