Cigarettes and Tea… Chats with Human Dinosaur Machine

If you haven’t been wedged under a prehistoric rock, you should know about H.D.M. a.k.a. Human Dinosaur Machine. And if you didn’t until now, you’re welcome.

Human Dinosaur Machine is my new favourite band and it’s not just because they have a cool name, although that helps in the same way it’s easier to barrack for a footy team with flattering colours. With a new favourite band, I also gain a new hero to look up to.  Her name is Karza she’s the vocal weapon and female lead behind this pop-punk furore. She is the epitome of not all heroes wear capes. Although it wouldn’t surprise me if she did occasionally. 

Her name is almost as unique, but not quite as special, as her ability to be fully open and vulnerable with me on the phone. 

Do you ever do something and think that was supposed to happen? It’s serendipitous.  I got to interview HDM twice due to a technical glitch. The first was a great chat with Roachy perfectionist and Tim, the band manager. The second led me the opportunity to talk to Karza.  She usually doesn’t do interviews but was the only one available.

What started as a normal everyday interview to find out info on the Lismore-based American styled Pop Punk band, turned into a newfound appreciation and insight to what actually makes these people tick. 

This woman schooled me on what it is to be brave and strong.

It’s not necessarily running into a burning house or leaping buildings in a single bound.

It’s being real, relatable and completely open.

Musicians have the ability to often hide behind the band, the performance and the song.  The performance value I know is absolutely a necessary aspect of what goes into making a great band but what makes me want to align myself with HDM is that these guys seem to be a bit more than that, and I’ll tell you why.

They are strong advocates for Women’s Rights and Mental Health.  Not because it gives them brownie points but because they live it and breathe it.  They are 4 solid mates, plus a manager that is also a friend and fan. You can’t fake that dynamic, but it also takes solid time investment into each other and the relationships around it. It can often be hard work.

How did it all start back in 2015…. The beginning of HDM plays out like a movie scene.  Boy meets girl at a party. Boy and girl like each other. They then make sweet music together lol. Karza met Mikey at a party, she was battling anxiety and instead of going out and smoking a cigarette (more about this later) she went into a spare room to take a breath and started playing a guitar that was sitting there.

Mikey came into the room, Karza was playing his guitar but instead of being annoyed, he was fascinated that she was strumming it in the same awkward way that he did, untrained but full of emotion. As the cliché goes their connection was literally brought together by music. Next, Isaac jumped on board.  He was HDM’s drummer to begin with. He also plays violin and bass and according to an unnamed source, waaay (sic) too good looking for his own good.  Completing the team happened by Roachy going to a gig, he gave them some constructive feedback along the lines of you are shit and then asked to join. By adding Tim in as Manager. HDM is a bit like Captain Planet. All their powers combined make for great things. Most importantly. Great Music. It’s edgy, it’s somewhat dark but ultimately, it’s them.  It’s authentic and real.  You can’t fake that. It’s HUMAN DINOSAUR MACHINE. 

Talking to Karza led me down a rabbit warren of stories. Regarding writing songs, they have a few formulas that go into creating good content but mainly it’s just a love to catch up for drinks and chill out and make good music.  She shared with me the amazing insight that, “Music is the only thing that has given me an outlet and release to express myself.”

There is still a lot of taboo around sharing stories and being vulnerable. Musicians could get behind their gear and fully express themselves openly and wholeheartedly.

She has a supportive network around her. The group is not only a band but a family network that is all there to help each other out.  Her love of dinosaurs is so strong that the boys thought it would be great to integrate this into the band name as well. These men that surround her are what you want in your life. Accepting, supportive and on board with what makes you, you.

NOW for the ultimate HERO part and the throwback to cigarettes.

I asked Karza for her Favourite song and why. It wasn’t the same as mine but now it is.

A complete insight into the struggles she has with mental health and bi bipolar.

The whole song lyrics leans into the darker side of mental health and is an exchange of text messages between her and the drummer Roachy.  All the lyrics. Yes All, are what she has written to her good friend when she’s been battling with her demons.    

The film clip is quirky and poignant.

Have a look below and now you know the context. Appreciate it. Give the band a like and be as excited as me to see what is coming next.