NPR Tiny Desk, 3x Oscar Winner CODA, opened for SZA, Justin Timberlake, Flo Rida, CBS’ The Young & The Restless, NBA Half-Time Shows. Live/session bassist, producer, singer & Berklee Grad with perfect pitch. Session work for major labels, performing with artists/viral TikTokers. Let’s write & record pro-level songs (pre-mix), bass lines, & vocals.
I’m Dominic Cannarella, a professional session bassist, vocalist, and producer in Los Angeles. My credits include NPR’s Tiny Desk, the 3x Oscar-winning film CODA, CBS’ The Young and the Restless & NBA halftime shows. I’ve opened for SZA, Justin Timberlake, and Flo Rida, and work with industry-respected artists like Jesus Molina, Audrey Nuna, Fefe Dobson, and a range of rising TikTok sensations & major-label acts.
I offer top-tier remote session work, specializing in:
🎸World-class bass recording - Groove-driven, expressive lines tracked on my Rickenbacker or 5-string Ibanez, tailored to your project’s feel and pocket.
🎤 Toplining & Vocals - Full vocal performance with lyric writing, melody crafting, + lead vocal tracking delivered clean and studio-ready.
🎧 Full production - I can co-write and produce top-tier tracks from scratch, handling instrumentation, arrangement, and recording in my hybrid studio/live room setup in LA.
As a Berklee College of Music graduate in Bass Performance & Songwriting, I’ve trained under masters like Victor Wooten and John Patitucci, and bring influences spanning R&B, funk, pop, rock, alt/indie, and hip-hop.
My goal is simple: to elevate your vision with musicality, precision, and soul. If you need that one magic bass take, a full song production, or topline vocals that pop, let's make something unforgettable together!
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Credits
Languages
- English
- Spanish
3 Reviews
Endorse Dominic Cannarella
I hired Dominic to record bass for a project, and he completely exceeded my expectations. He delivered super clean, groovy takes really quickly, and added subtle touches that brought the songs to life. He also helped with production on a couple of tracks, offering great arrangement ideas and instrumentation choices that elevated everything. Super professional, creative, and easy to work with—I'd absolutely work with him again.
I hired Dominic to write and produce an Album for Universal Music Publishing Latin, and he absolutely killed it! He hit the brief in every way and understood exactly what I needed. Not only is his bass playing incredible, but his production skills are unmatched. He also has perfect pitch, which helps him remember keys and melodies, making him very quick! I would recommend him 10/10!
I hired Dominic to write and produce an Album for Universal Music Publishing Latin, and he absolutely killed it! He hit the brief in every way and understood exactly what I needed. Not only is his bass playing incredible, but his production skills are unmatched. He also has perfect pitch, which helps him remember keys and melodies, making him very quick! I would recommend him 10/10!
Interview with Dominic Cannarella
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The NPR Tiny Desk. It was an absolute dream gig. I played bass and it was surreal.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: FARIDE BLANCO for the best female vocals in the game!!!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both but I wish I could warp tape more!!!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise to deliver high quality stems, dry or mixed, that were made with passion and a deep understanding of your project. I don't take anything I can't care about. So if we get to work together, it's because I love and trust your vision.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I help make people's passion a reality everyday and turn their dreams inside their head into something tangible. It feels like magic and I'm truly blessed to do it.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How was the NPR Tiny Desk?.... Freakin' HUGE in real life! lol
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Who are your favorite artists, what strikes you musically when you hear it, and how "busy" would you like it? Should I take embellishments, keep it simple, or somewhere in between?
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: After Graduating from Berklee in 2020, I’ve trained under masters like Victor Wooten and John Patitucci, and have made a full time music career in LA doing live performance, MD work, session work, and artist development. I also front the band Them Fantasies and have a solo project under Dominic Charles.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: GRUNK (grunge and funk) when needed, but extremely versatile. Tight, syncopated, full, round. Laid back if you want.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Chris Cornell... RIP. His melodies and choices were impeccable and his range as a vocalist was unheard of.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Clip your drums responsibly, but more than you think!!! Sometimes, ignorance is the sound. Just know how to control it.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Alternative, Indie Pop/Rock, RnB, Neo Soul, Rock, Metal, Reggae, you name it. My favorite artists are Soundgarden, Thundercat, and Mac Demarco.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My perfect pitch makes me extremely quick to catch on to melodies, chords/keys, and speeds up the process drastically. I am also excellent at reharmonizing, as well as elaborating with embellishments to a riff or motif.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: As a Berklee grad who works professionally in all genres, I add pro-level expertise and life to a track, and take a lot of pride in making sure it slaps in all settings, whether I'm singing, bass playing, or producing.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I sit and digest my client songs in a bunch of different settings - in the car, in the kitchen, in my studio, and while working out - to truly see what elements are needed to excel in all settings. Then I analyze harmonically what I can offer, as well as sonically - do I need to cut through more? A touch of distortion. Does the piece need movement? I’ll add a nice scaler bassline. Is a motif needed? I’ll consider melodically where I can move things around or layer with certain instruments to really get a full feeling. I am completely at service to the song. I hammer it out quickly and usually have turnarounds of 2-3 days max.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a hybrid set up in my studio in LA with a live room! Drums, guitars, and Markbass bass amps, as well as a treated area with sound panels, with Warm Audio condenser mics and Shure 57s. For bass, I run my Markbass Little Mark Ninja pre-amp through my Clarett+ 4pre interface for the CLEANEST tones while recording my Rickenbaker or Ibanez five string bass.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Chris Cornell, Flea, Mac DeMarco, and George Clinton are my musical heroes, but I really love Danger Mouse as a producer, as well as Rick Rubin and Mike Dean.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Most people want a clean, punchy bass recording with my rickenbacker, or some top-notch production on a song of theirs from me! It’s usually along the lines of alternative/Indie, rock, R&B/soul, or pop. I love it all, and it translates :)
I was the Bassist, Singer, Writer, Producer in this production
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $300 per song
- Singer - MaleAverage price - $200 per song
- Top line writer (vocal melody)Average price - $250 per song
- ProducerAverage price - $700 per song
- Songwriter - LyricAverage price - $150 per song
- Songwriter - MusicAverage price - $350 per song
- Vocal TuningAverage price - $100 per track
I'll do up to 2 revisions, each one after that is $60 per revision - however, let me know what you need and I will make it work. Turn around time is quick - no more than 2-5 days.
- Rickenbacker 4003
- Markbass Ninja
- Ibanez SR805
- Logic Pro X
- Clarett+ 4pre
Have any service 25% off if you recommend me to other clients and it works out :)
