Music Financing FAQ

A music catalog advance is a lump sum payment provided to artists, songwriters, or rights holders in exchange for a portion of their future music royalties. It allows creators to access immediate capital based on the projected value of their catalog without selling their rights permanently.

Music catalogs are valued based on multiple factors including historical royalty performance, streaming trends, copyright ownership, remaining copyright term, diversification across platforms and territories, and future earning potential. We connect directly to distributors and PROs through AgncyOS for real-time, accurate valuations using institutional-grade analytics.

Selling your catalog means transferring ownership of your music rights permanently to a buyer in exchange for a lump sum. A royalty advance allows you to retain ownership while receiving upfront capital that is recouped from your future earnings. Advances typically offer more flexibility and allow you to benefit from long-term catalog growth.

With AgncyOS, we've accelerated the traditional process significantly. Instant catalog valuation happens in real-time through our platform. After initial review and verification, most deals are structured and closed within 2-4 weeks, compared to the industry standard of 2-3 months. The exact timeline depends on deal complexity and documentation requirements.

Requirements vary by funding type and investor. Generally, we work with artists generating at least $10,000-$25,000 annually in verifiable royalties. However, we also consider growth trajectory, platform diversification, and catalog potential. Use our funding calculator to get an instant estimate based on your specific situation.

You'll need royalty statements from the past 12-24 months, distribution reports from platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, etc., PRO statements (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC), copyright documentation proving ownership, and basic information about your catalog composition. AgncyOS can connect directly to many platforms to automatically pull verified data.

Initial consultations and catalog valuations through AgncyOS are free. We earn our fees only when a deal successfully closes, typically as a percentage of the transaction. There are no hidden fees, application costs, or obligations to proceed. We're aligned with your success and only get paid when you do.

Yes, in many cases. We'll need to review your existing agreements to understand what rights you control and what restrictions may exist. Many artists have partial ownership or specific rights they can leverage for funding. We work with your legal team and existing partners to structure deals that comply with all agreements.

Music financing is unrestricted capital - you can use it for any purpose including recording new music, music videos and content production, marketing and promotion, touring expenses, living expenses, debt consolidation, investing in other ventures, or buying other catalogs. The funding is yours to deploy as you see fit.

Catalog buyers generate returns through ongoing royalty collection from streaming, licensing, sync placements, and other exploitation rights. They may also benefit from catalog appreciation over time or through active management that increases the catalog's earning potential. Institutional buyers typically target specific IRR thresholds based on catalog risk profile and growth potential.