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!
Send me a note through the contact button above.
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 :)
