Marcus King isn’t just another blues-rock guitar slinger. With El Dorado, he set out to rewrite his story—and he means that literally. Working with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, King took his sound in a new direction, embracing storytelling and soul while intentionally pulling back on his signature guitar work. “I didn’t want this to be a guitar record,” he tells me, which is an interesting statement from one of the most acclaimed young guitarists out there.
That shift also meant co-writing for the first time, an experience King calls “a learning curve” but ultimately one that deepened his artistry. The album focuses on the era of leaving home at 17 and finding himself on the road, with Cadillacs serving as a metaphor for things that fade away if you don’t take care of them—whether it’s a car, a relationship, or even a career.
The album plays with different styles, from the Waylon Jennings-inspired swagger of “Too Much Whiskey” (which also nods to Willie Nelson’s Whiskey River) to the delicate ballad Love Song. “I had just argued with my girlfriend, so I wrote a song to make it up to her,” King laughs.
Beyond the record, King had a big year—making his Grand Ole Opry debut (“I stuck to the program,” he jokes) and appearing on the star-studded Playing for Change version of “The Weight”, which included none other than Ringo Starr.
And as for his morning soundtrack back in his school days? It was always I’m Only Sleeping by The Beatles—fitting for someone who was up all night playing gigs. Now, with El Dorado, Marcus King is wide awake and stepping into his own as an artist, proving there’s far more to his story than just the guitar.
Listen to the interview above and then check out the video below.
