Lipps Service (Audio)

Marcus King

Lipps Service (Audio)

Show Notes

On this episode of Lipps Service, Scott Lipps sits down with one of country’s biggest acts and best guitarists today – Marcus King. Marcus and his band most recently released the LP Darling Blue, the band’s first since 2018. They start by getting into the story behind his song “Cadillac,” meeting his wife, his Southern upbringing, musical heroes, and the early days of making music with his family. Marcus opens up about the trauma that shaped his songwriting, his faith, and the decision to leave school to pursue music, as well as his thoughts on Americana, keeping guitar music alive, and forming The Marcus King Band. He shares candid insights about working with other music greats such as Dan Auerbach, Dave Cobb, and Rick Rubin, while also discussing his struggles with mental health, microdosing, and his journey toward sobriety. The two explore the renaissance of honest rock ’n’ roll, how old movies inspired his latest record, and his dream collaborations (and a few ghosting stories). The interview wraps with Marcus listing his top five guitarists and top five roots and Americana artists. Tune into a great and insightful chat with the legend – Marcus King! For more incredible rock 'n' roll interviews, hit the subscribe button, and also check out Lipps Service with Scott Lipps podcasts on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite podcast player.

CREDITS (Instagram handles) Host @scottlipps Produced by @whitakermarisa Edited by @toastycakes Music by @robbyhoff Recorded at Fringe Podcasts NYC

0:00:31 - “Cadillac” and how he met his wife 0:02:30 - Upbringing 0:04:00 - Music heroes 0:07:00 - Playing music with family 0:07:40 - Trauma that led to his songwriting 0:09:51 - Channeling emotions into music at a young age 0:10:45 - Faith 0:11:24 - Parents and decision to go into music 0:14:18 - Decision to leave school and pursue music 0:18:00 - Americana 0:20:00 - Keeping guitar music alive 0:21:40 - Going to LA for the first time 0:24:11 - Forming the Marcus King Band 0:25:55 - Working with Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys 0:28;00 - Dave Cobb vs Dan Auerbach 0:28:45 - Rick Rubin 0:32:00 - Mental health 0:34:34 - Microdosing 0:35:20 - Notoriety, its challenges 0:38:00 - Darling Blue 0:41:45 - Collaborating process 0:42:51 - Journey with sobriety 0:44:13 - Sobriety and rock bottom 0:45:00 - Renaissance of honest rock ‘n’ roll 0:46:17 - Album recording process 0:47:28 - Dream collaborators and getting ghosted 0:49:40 - Top 5 guitarists 0:54:24 - Top 5 roots, Americana, and country artists

More from Lipps Service (Audio)

Sep 15, 2026

Magnus Ferrell joins Scott Lipps for a new episode of SPIN’s Lipps Service to talk about growing up as the son of Will Ferrell, finding his own identity as a musician, and what it’s like pursuing a career when people already know your last name. Magnus opens up about his musical upbringing, his parents’ support, the advice that shaped him, working with Gabe Yaron and developing his “groove therapy” sound. He also talks about the “nepo baby” conversation, signing his record deal, imposter syndrome and the breakout success of “Asleep Talking.” Plus, Magnus shares some incredible Will Ferrell stories — from his dad DJing at USC to showing up to prom in a medieval outfit — and reveals his Top 5 artists of all time and Top 5 Will Ferrell movies. Subscribe to Lipps Service for more conversations with the biggest names in music.

Jul 21, 2026

For more than 36 years, 311 have remained one of rock's most unique and enduring bands—blending rock, reggae, hip-hop, funk and metal into a sound entirely their own while keeping the original five members together through decades of touring and platinum-selling albums. On this episode of SPIN Magazine's Lipps Service, Scott Lipps sits down with Nick Hexum, SA Martinez, Chad Sexton, Tim Mahoney and P-Nut to look back at their incredible journey—from growing up in Omaha and moving to Los Angeles together, to recording classics like "Amber," "Love Song," and the breakthrough Blue Album. The band discusses the current state of rock music, artificial intelligence, social media, songwriting, their biggest career moments, the songs they want to be remembered for, their favorite '90s rock albums, and what's next for 311. If you're a longtime Excitable, a fan of alternative rock, or simply love hearing legendary artists tell their stories, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more conversations with the biggest names in music.

Jun 24, 2026

Young the Giant joins Scott Lipps on SPIN Magazine's Lipps Service for a deep dive into the band's incredible journey—from forming in Irvine, California and playing their earliest shows as The Jakes, to dropping out of Stanford, getting signed as teenagers, and creating some of the defining alternative rock songs of the last two decades. The band discusses the stories behind "Cough Syrup" and "My Body," life in the legendary band house, working with legendary producers Joe Chiccarelli and Brendan O'Brien, recording Victory Garden in Palm Springs and Idyllwild, running into Paul McCartney at Henson Studios, and the unforgettable encounters with Chris Martin and Morrissey. Plus: Radiohead debates, favorite Strokes songs, music that shaped the band, and much more. Young the Giant's new album "Victory Garden" is available now. Subscribe for more conversations with the biggest names in music. #YoungTheGiant #VictoryGarden #LippsService #ScottLipps #SPINMagazine Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 18, 2026

Billy Corgan joins Scott Lipps on SPIN Magazine’s Lipps Service for a deep chronological conversation covering his upbringing in Chicago, discovering guitar, the formation of the Smashing Pumpkins, Gish, Siamese Dream, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Courtney Love, Melissa Auf der Maur, Cheap Trick, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Lollapalooza, modern rock, Yungblud, SOMBR, and much more.

Jun 12, 2026

DE'WAYNE joins Scott Lipps on SPIN Magazine's Lipps Service for an in-depth conversation about his journey from Spring, Texas to becoming one of the most exciting voices in modern rock. DE'WAYNE discusses growing up in a deeply religious household, discovering music through hip-hop, moving to Los Angeles with only $200, finding inspiration in Radiohead, David Bowie, and Nirvana, and ultimately creating his own lane in rock music. He also talks about touring arenas with Machine Gun Kelly, receiving a life-changing phone call from Lenny Kravitz, collaborating on "Highway Robbery," the resurgence of rock music, Prince's influence, Warped Tour, and the artists leading rock's next generation. If you enjoy long-form conversations with musicians, artists, and cultural icons, subscribe to Lipps Service.

See all episodes →