Introducing Guest A&R: Joe Ferrari - Elevate Members Get Private Access Monthly

BEATCAVE
4 days ago
4 min read

There is a moment in every artist’s journey when the work stops being about talent and starts being about decisions.

Not because you lack ideas, but because you have too many. Too many options, too many opinions, too many “maybes.” You can feel the song has something, but you need someone with taste and perspective to tell you what is actually landing, what is distracting, and what the next move should be.

That is why Beatcave is introducing a new opportunity for Elevate members: private A&R feedback sessions with Joe Ferrari.

Two nights. Fifteen members per session. One song each. Real notes. Real direction.

The new Elevate opportunity

We are scheduling two private virtual sessions where Joe will break down each track and give insight that artists can actually use.

Dates

March 11
March 25

Time

8:30pm to 9:30pm ET

Format

Virtual session with members on the call
Recorded so members who cannot attend still receive the feedback afterward

Each session is capped at 15 Elevate members, because this only works if the feedback is focused and the room stays intentional.

How it works

To make the feedback as detailed as possible, we are doing this with real preparation.

Each member submits one song only, and Beatcave provides the full batch to Joe four days before the session. That gives him time to sit with the songs, understand the intent, and come in with clear notes, rather than reacting in the moment.

When you submit, you will answer four questions:

What is the goal for this song?
What stage is it at? demo, mix, master, released, unreleased
What are you planning next for rollout? 2 to 3 bullets
What do you want feedback on most? song, positioning, rollout, next steps

These answers help Joe tailor his perspective to what you are actually trying to do, so your feedback is not generic. It is about your move.

Why Joe Ferrari

Most people can tell you if they “like” a song.

A real A&R can tell you why it works, why it does not, where it belongs, and what you should do next to give it a real chance.

Joe Ferrari has spent over two decades doing exactly that, across management, artist development, and label leadership. He is someone who understands both sides of the equation: the creative impulse that starts the work, and the disciplined execution that turns it into a career.

Joe’s path has always been tied to long-term development, not quick wins. He is known for building and guiding the careers of emerging and established artists with a focus on strategic growth on a global scale, backed by both deep industry experience and formal training at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

That balance matters. Creative intuition, sharpened by structure.

A leader who has actually signed and developed artists

Before launching his current ventures, Joe served as Head of A&R at Sony Music Canada, where he helped deliver more than two dozen Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum records and contributed to numerous Juno Awards.

During that time, he signed and developed artists including:

Pressa
Tyler Shaw
Aqyila
Snotty Nose Rez Kids
Tia Wood

That list matters for one reason: it shows a pattern. Joe has a track record of hearing talent early and helping it find its lane.

A builder who cares about culture and infrastructure

Joe is also not just an executive. He is a builder of spaces and systems that support artists beyond the studio.

In Spring 2026, he will launch Osler Records, a Toronto-based independent label headquartered in a purpose-built cultural hub designed as a gathering place for artists and their communities. The vision is bigger than a label. Osler will integrate a record label with a coffee shop, bar, and live performance venue, creating a space where community, culture, and creativity intersect.

That kind of thinking is rare. It is not “content” culture. It is real infrastructure.

And it aligns with why Beatcave exists in the first place: to build the rooms where talent can grow without having to leave home to be taken seriously.

Community work that is not performative

Beyond commercial results, Joe has also led meaningful equity-driven initiatives. He has collaborated with remote Northern communities to support Indigenous youth through arts-based programming and championed inner-city projects such as Montreal’s NBS Studio, which provides at-risk youth with access to music creation and mentorship.

That is not a footnote. It is a signal of values. The work is not just about charts and credits. It is about impact.

Today, Joe continues to build on that legacy, centering community, advancing inclusive artist development, and investing in platforms that generate lasting cultural and social impact.

What you should expect from these sessions

This is not a showcase night. It is not a “send it in and hope you get picked” situation. It is not a compliment circle.

This is A&R feedback designed to help you make decisions you can stand behind.

You should expect insight like:

What part of the record is undeniable, and what part is weakening it
Where the song fits in the market and how to position it without forcing it
What you need to tighten before release, if the goal is competitiveness
Whether your rollout plan makes sense for where you are right now
The smartest next move for your sound, your strategy, and your timeline

And because members will be in the room, you will also be able to ask a question about rollout or next steps, so the feedback can be applied immediately.