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At Disc Makers, we’re fortunate to work with countless new artists releasing their music on CD or LP for the very first time. It’s always a super exciting experience. But what if you’ve been around the block a few times, and your next album is actually going to be your last? How do you approach an album that will be the capstone of your music career?
This question came to mind because, just as we welcome first-time artists, we’ve also had the privilege of working with thousands — possibly millions — of seasoned musicians over the decades. Many of them have chosen us as their manufacturer for multiple albums across many years. One such artist is Christine Lavin, a talented folk singer known for her delightful storytelling lyrics. Christine recently emailed me to share that she’s working on her final album.
Christine has released more than two dozen albums over the past four-plus decades. But as time passed and she began wearing hearing aids, she noticed she couldn’t sing as well as she once did. Still, the passion remained. After months of deliberation, she reached out to Ted, her Disc Makers rep, to plan her final release. In her message to me, she said:
“Everybody understandably puts their all into their first album, and I’m putting my all into my last album. If we as artists don’t think about our legacy, we’re leaving it to others to think about — and that’s risky.”
Her words struck a chord with me. They were both inspirational and courageous. No one likes thinking about the end of the line, but it’s something we’ll all face someday. I turned 60 a few months ago, and I can feel that final station inching closer. So, why not make your last album something memorable — a celebration of a rich and rewarding musical journey?
We see it all the time: when a famous artist passes, their streams spike and their albums sell. But they’re not around to feel the love. That’s why it makes sense to turn your final album into an event — something intentional and exciting. You get to decide how to shape the capstone of your career.
Maybe you’ll remix, remaster, and enhance old recordings, like Christine is doing, preserving original vocals and instrumentation but adding fresh polish. Or maybe you’ll re-record your greatest hits in a better studio with improved mixing to create a definitive career retrospective. Perhaps your best work is yet to come — a brand-new collection of songs honed by years of experience and artistic growth.
Heck, maybe it’s time for one final vinyl pressing. Whatever direction you take, make it meaningful. Give it a deluxe package — photos, liner notes, and stories that highlight your journey. And if you have enough stories and pictures, consider going further, like Christine: write and publish a book (an autobiography for your family, friends, and fans).
Our sister company, BookBaby, makes beautiful books every day. They specialize in small-quantity runs and can distribute your book through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more. It’s the perfect companion to your final album.
However you do it, my advice is this: be deliberate. Take control of the process and content. This is your album — your legacy — and you should be the one to shape it.
If this is something you’re thinking about, and you’d like to brainstorm with us, give us a call Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, at 1-800-468-9353. When you’re ready, we’ll be here!
This blog was adapted from an Indie Music Minute video on the Disc Makers YouTube channel. You can watch the video here:
Tony van Veen
Tony van Veen is the CEO of DIY Media Group, the parent company of Disc Makers and BookBaby. As a college student, he played in indie bands, created his own LPs, cassettes, and t-shirts, and sold them at shows. Today, he collects CDs, vinyl LPs, and concert t-shirts to support the artists he loves.
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