How Did Dropkick Murphys Build Their Success? TWiMusic with Ken Casey and Dangerbird Records CEO Jeff Castelaz

TL;DR

Dropkick Murphys built their success through a dedicated fanbase, a high-profile Boston Red Sox partnership, film and TV licensing, touring, merchandise, and greater control through Born and Bred Records. The Boston band has sold more than 4 million albums, including 600,000 on its own label, while placements in The Departed and The Sopranos expanded its reach. Read on for Ken Casey and Jeff Castelaz’s insights into these strategies.

Transcript

today on this week in music our guests are Ken Casey of Boston's Dropkick Murphy's and the manager Jeff castas of dangerbird management company label publisher recording studio so stay tuned I feel good even though I shouldn't I'm chilling so hard couldn't tell you where a hood is I'm looking like a so what do I do there's money behind this operati... Read More

Key Insights

• 🪭 Dropkick Murphy's success can be attributed to their dedicated fanbase and their ability to stay connected with fans.
• 🎼 Licensing their music for film and TV has helped expand their reach and add to their brand.
• 🤕 The band's independence and involvement in their own label has allowed them to have more control over their music and business decisions.
• 🤕 Merchandise sales and touring are important income streams for the band.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Dropkick Murphys become affiliated with the Boston Red Sox?

After new ownership took over, the Red Sox asked Dropkick Murphys to remake an old fight song from around the turn of the century. The team won that year after an 86-year drought, leading Ken Casey to embrace the band’s reputation as a good-luck charm.

Q: Why was the Dropkick Murphys and Boston Red Sox partnership valuable to the band?

Ken Casey says the partnership put a band without mainstream radio, television, or glossy-magazine exposure in front of real people. In Boston and New England, association with the Red Sox also established the band as hometown heroes.

Q: What happened when the Red Sox asked Dropkick Murphys to participate again in 2007?

According to Ken Casey, the team did not ask the band in 2005 or 2006 but invited them back in 2007. The Red Sox won again that year, reinforcing the perceived connection between the song and the team’s success.

Q: How successful were Dropkick Murphys in album sales?

The interview states that the Boston band had sold more than 4 million albums in total. Of those, 600,000 were released on the band’s own label.

Q: What is Born and Bred Records?

Born and Bred Records is Dropkick Murphys’ own label. At the time of the interview, the band’s last three records had been released through it, giving the group more control over its music and business decisions.

Q: How did film and television licensing benefit Dropkick Murphys?

Licensing placed the band’s music before new audiences and provided another income stream. The page cites uses in The Departed and The Sopranos as examples that expanded the band’s reach and strengthened its brand.

Q: Which Dropkick Murphys song placement is discussed in the interview?

The interview opens with a scene from The Departed featuring a Dropkick Murphys track. The host describes it as a classic use of music in a movie opening before introducing Ken Casey and Jeff Castelaz.

Q: What other income streams were important to Dropkick Murphys?

Merchandise sales and touring were important income streams for the band. Merchandise also gave fans another way to support the group and helped foster a sense of community around it.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Dropkick Murphy's has built a dedicated fanbase by staying connected with their fans and treating them with respect.

• They have found success in licensing their music for films such as The Departed and TV shows like The Sopranos.

• The band also runs their own label, Born and Bred Records, which allows them to have more control over their music and business decisions.