able machines’ Linus Dotson & Tay Côlieé On Forming, Releasing New Music & Future Career Plans

Los Angeles electro-pop duo able machines burst onto the music scene last year with the debut single “Secrets & Lies.” Recently the group released with its second single “Intentions” on February 21st, an intense electronic-pop anthem. able machines consists of songwriter/producer Linus Dotson (a.k.a. Linus Of Hollywood — who’s worked with everyone from Diddy to Smashing Pumpkins to Bowling For Soup and 5 Seconds Of Summer) and singer/songwriter/actress Tay Côlieé. The duo tauntingly toys with the normal boundaries of pop music, often coupling their catchy melodic music with dark lyrical imagery while self-producing their own visual content, music videos included.

This new single was mixed by Seth Earnest (Tessa Violet) and mastered by Chris Gehringer (Halsey, Lana Del Rey, Lizzo). The duo plans to release more singles this year and gear up for for their first live shows in the summer. I had the pleasure of doing Q&A with both Linus Dotson and Tay Côlieé about the past, present and future of able machines. More on the duo can be found on Facebook via the official account at www.facebook.com/ablemachines and/or on Spotify via the direct link of https://open.spotify.com/artist/3IJ45FCPcmO7OT5pCp4ZG7?si=ohx2eK6fSRaPT4aVNlc01A.

How did you first two meet? Had you been aware of each other’s projects beforehand?

Tay Côlieé: Craigslist! I was actually looking through the musicians section for a price of equipment but for some reason I clicked on Linus’ post and had a good feeling about it. We definitely had mutual friends in our circles so I knew of Linus. Surprised we hadn’t met sooner!

Linus Dotson: Yes, people laugh when we tell them we met on Craigslist. I was really itching to do an electronic pop project and I just threw an ad up with no expectations. I think I only got like 3 replies, and when Tay responded I had the same good feeling. We met, wrote “Secrets & Lies” together right away and began recording. We started working before we even really got to know each other. Fortunately, besides being very talented Tay is a great human, too!

Which one of you came up with the “able machines” name?

Tay Côlieé: I’ll let you take this one, Linus!

Linus Dotson: (laughs) OK! So, I’m a huge Beach Boys fan and went through a phase where I was obsessed with reading their biographies. I read that Brian Wilson’s — awful — father owned a business called ABLE Machinery. I always thought it would be a cool band name, but I wasn’t sure what for. When Tay and I were coming up with band names we made a big list. I put “ABLE Machinery” on there and I was surprised that Tay picked it out as something she liked. I told her the story and she was like “cool” but we ended up changing it to “able machines” — it sounded more like a band name and somehow it also sounds like our music.

Able Machines isn’t like prior projects of yours. Did you know outright that your music was going to sound so different from other projects of yours?

Tay Côlieé: With any collaboration everyone contributes their own individual style and flavor, but it’s always interesting to see what sound emerges from that. Our sound is still developing but I’m really happy that we can play to each others strengths in how we form our lyrics, melodies, and production.

Linus Dotson: Yes, obviously this is a bit different than a lot of other stuff we’ve done individually, but at the core of able machines is classic pop songcraft and that’s always something that I would say ties together all of our projects. It’s been fun doing acoustic versions of our songs. It really shows off that the underlying song is still strong underneath all the electronic production.

Do you have a favorite able machines song?

Tay Côlieé: “Intentions” is really close to my heart. It definitely hits on an issue that I feel I’m consistently having to guard myself from. The song is blatantly calling out all the guys in my life that have had ulterior motives.

Linus Dotson: Yes, that was Tay’s concept lyrically and I think we really nailed the lyric on that one. I love “Secrets & Lies” too. That one is probably a little more personal to me. Someone on the internet said our lyrics are “savage.” I like that.

Do you have a career accomplishment you are most proud of?

Tay Côlieé: I’m so amazed that I’ve been able to surround myself with such crazy talented people and come up with them. The fact that the best musicians in town are my personal friends is better than any single accomplishment to me.

Linus Dotson: I’m just proud that I’ve been able have a career! Someone once said about the music business: “It’s a hard way to make an easy living!”

When not busy with music, where does your free time usually go?

Tay Côlieé: I feel like I’m always spending my free time in some creative capacity. Whether it’s writing, building something diy, or going on an adventure with Puppy.

Linus Dotson: I’ve recently been doing photography, which has actually turned into a whole new side career for me. When I do have free time I like to spend time with my animals and close friends, go for a hike or take a road trip.

What was the last concert you attended for fun?

Linus Dotson: I saw Mike Viola a few weeks ago. Amazing singer/songwriter.

Tay Côlieé: Does Kanye West’s Sunday Service count?

Finally, any last words for the kids?

Tay Côlieé: Just say no?

Linus Dotson: NO!

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Tags: Able Machines, Bowling For Soup, Chris Gehringer, Kanye West, Linus Dotson, Linus Of Hollywood, Lizzo, Mike Viola, Tay Côlieé

About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."