John MacNeil on stage playing electric bass

bassist, arranger, producer, good hang

John MacNeil is a working musician, gear expert, content creator, and sentient cup of black coffee from Chicago, IL. Equally comfortable in a symphony orchestra, a jazz trio, a theater pit, a honky tonk, a rapper’s backing band, or a punk basement, if there’s bass in it, John’s done it twice. His proficiency on upright bass, electric bass, piano, and key bass makes him a valuable asset to any ensemble, and he has the production, arranging, and writing chops to elevate your music to its full potential in the studio and out on the road. He’s endorsed by Lakland Guitars.

When he’s not making your music better, he’s reading, watching a horror movie, cooking something ridiculous, or hanging out with his bestselling author wife.

some of my work

  • album artwork for “The Way Through” by Nathan Graham

    Nathan Graham - “The Way Through” (upright bass, piano, Wurlitzer, backing vocals, production, engineering, string arrangements)

  • album artwork for “Saint of Second Chances” by Nathan Graham

    Nathan Graham - “Saint of Second Chances” (electric bass, production, arranging)

  • album artwork for “Sonder” by Thanks Again

    Thanks Again - “Sonder” (upright bass, electric bass, piano, guitars, mandolin, drum programming, engineering, mixing, mastering)

  • album artwork for “Wayfarer” by Thanks Again

    Thanks Again - “Wayfarer” (upright bass, electric bass, piano, mandolin, guitars, drum programming, engineering, mixing, mastering)

  • album artwork for “Supersonic Kid” by Mike Rafferty

    Mike Rafferty - “Supersonic Kid” (electric bass)

  • album artwork for “Dances for Different Bodies, Vol. 1” by Tommy Carroll

    Tommy Carroll - “Dances for Different Bodies, Vol. 1” (electric bass)

  • album artwork for “Timelines” by Lunchbox Rachel

    Lunchbox Rachel - “Timelines” (electric bass)

  • Album artwork for “Southern Fried Homicide” by Lunchbox Rachel

    Lunchbox Rachel - “Southern Fried Homicide” (electric bass)

  • album artwork for “Points : Lines” by Karl Maher

    Karl Maher - “Points : Lines” (electric bass)

  • cover art for “Ten Week Turnabout,” the first season of ConSensual

    ConSensual Podcast Season 1 - “Ten Week Turnabout” (engineering, editing, music composition, sound design)

  • cover art for “Hookup State of Mind,” the second season of ConSensual

    ConSensual Podcast Season 2 - “Hookup State of Mind” (engineering, editing, music composition, sound design)

  • cover art for “Slutty Little Podcast"

    Slutty Little Podcast (engineering, mixing)

upcoming shows

July 30 - August 1, 2026

with Nathan Graham

Mile of Music Festival
Appleton, WI

Festival Website (it’s free!) 

August 30, 2026

with Nathan Graham

Orton Park Music Festival
Madison, WI

Festival Website (it’s free!)

let’s work together