Marcus King's Musical Journey
Grammy-nominated musician Marcus King's latest album, "Mood Swings," delves into his mental health struggles and the healing power of therapy and music. King, a fourth-generation musician hailing from Greenville, South Carolina, recalls his earliest memory of opening his father's guitar case, feeling an immediate connection to the instrument.
"The guitar was my original safety blanket, my escape from everything," King shared. "Music provided peace and calm waters amidst the storm in my brain and heart."
King's childhood was marked by his mother's departure, leaving him with deep-seated abandonment issues. Despite the challenges, King has worked on rebuilding his relationship with his mother over the years.
As King navigated loss and grappled with body image struggles, he reflected on his younger self with compassion, acknowledging the impact of external judgments on his self-esteem.
At the age of 14, King began performing at gigs, finding solace in music despite feeling like an outcast in high school due to his unconventional appearance. Eventually, he made the decision to leave school during his junior year to pursue his musical aspirations.
"I got on the road as soon as I could," King said. "I just, right away, got really into the hustle of it all."
Getting started, King said he was using a pseudonym in his email to book himself and the band.
"I used a little smoke and mirror tactics," he said.
Now, the 28-year-old has built a reputation as a mesmerizing live performer, which he said is a result of throwing himself into his craft.
"I've always been deeply insecure, so I'm a little perfectionist when it comes to my art," King said. "You can't deny me if I'm the best at it."
He released three acclaimed albums leading the Marcus King Band. In 2020, he earned a Grammy nomination with his solo debut, "El Dorado."
But his demons caught up with him.
"I was just in a really rough spot. I had just gone through a really bad breakup, and I was just, I don't know how to put this. It was just a series of benders, you know, followed by, you know, deep, deep depression," he said. "I was hurting so bad that it was difficult to perform."
King was near rock bottom when he met Briley Hussey at a gig. He said she helped to save him.
"What I witnessed was a woman who had zero tolerance for any nonsense," King shared. "She pushed me to fight for it, fight for her."
They tied the knot last year, during King's work on his latest album, "Mood Swings," which was produced by the legendary Rick Rubin.
Rubin encouraged King to consider mental health as a writing partner, leading him to explore the depths of his soul.
"I had to face a lot of truths, accept my guilt, and confront my past behaviors in relationships," he admitted. "I am the issue. The call is coming from within."
King confessed that for a long time, he avoided discussing his mental health.
"I was scared of being misunderstood, of being labeled as 'crazy,'" he expressed.
Now, King feels grateful and "cleansed," although he acknowledges that managing his mental health is a daily task.
"I often say I'm in remission from depression because it can resurface," he acknowledged.
Through a combination of meditation and medication, King stated that he can keep it under control. Additionally, he finds solace in his music.
King reflected on his experience, stating, "Engaging in this activity has been incredibly therapeutic for me. However, I also learned the importance of seeking professional therapy in addition to this."
