Tony Latham, a music industry veteran, has founded Royalty Access Studio (RAS), a platform to provide advances against future royalty payments to artists and songwriters worldwide.
UK-based RAS said it has secured committed capital of at least USD $20 million to deploy over the next 12 months.
Latham previously served as chief financial officer at Wise Music Group and finance director at performer rights organization PPL PRS.
He also served as vice president of investor services at music tech company Utopia, focusing on catalog acquisitions and fund monetization strategies.
Additionally, Latham serves as a Trustee of UK charity Orchestras Live, which brings live classical music to communities across the UK, regardless of their background.
Latham’s new project promises “transparent and ethical alternative to traditional royalty financing, with a streamlined application process, no credit checks, and straightforward documentation.”
Additionally, the company operates what it calls a “non-acquisitive” model, meaning, according to the company, that “artists and writers retain full ownership and control of their rights while unlocking capital based on future earnings”.
Tony Latham, Co-Founder and CEO of Royalty Access Studio, said: “We launched RAS to make royalty advances simple.
“After two decades in senior roles across the music industry, I’ve seen how difficult it can be for artists and songwriters to access funding that truly supports their interests. We’re here to support them in a fair and transparent way. Our model is built on trust, flexibility, and clarity – with creators at the centre of every deal.”
“After two decades in senior roles across the music industry, I’ve seen how difficult it can be for artists and songwriters to access funding that truly supports their interests. We’re here to support them in a fair and transparent way.”
Tony Latham, Royalty Access Studio
Latham’s company targets deals ranging from $10,000 to seven-figure amounts, he said.
“We want to be the most approachable, flexible partner in this space,” added Latham. “Whether it’s a $10,000 top-up or a seven-figure consolidation, we treat every deal with care. Artists and writers deserve straightforward access to their income without unnecessary complexity or barriers.”
The launch of Latham’s new project comes amid the growing music royalty advance market as artists seek alternatives to traditional record label financing.
beatBread reported in February that it had paid advances to over 1,300 clients on six continents to date on existing catalogs as well as new and unreleased music. The platform’s funding amounts range from $1,000 to over $10 million.
Music Business Worldwide