On the subject of the mechs, here's when/how I think all the mechs learned to play their instruments
Jonny
You cannot tell me that guy was not annoying the fuck out of people with his Harmonics on New Texas. Oh look its this kid with his fuckass harmonica playing house of the rising sun for the 5th time.
Nastya
For much of history playing an instrument was a popular hobby for noblewomen to have, so it's possible she'd known how to play the viola since she was young, but it's also possible Carmilla had her learn it to occupy her time and begin building out her band.
Ashes
Considering their backstory, I don't think Ashes would have had the means or time to learn to play the bass, so I think they learned after getting mechanized.
Brian
See, I think Brian was mechanized with being a drummer in mind, and that's why he's called the Drumbot. By this point, Carmilla had 3 musical children (4 including Scuzz), so while programing Brian's new body, she could have slipped in some muscle memory adjacent programming to help him learn faster. I do think he learned the banjo on his own though.
Ivy
Considering her amnesia, even if she played an instrument pre mechs she probably wouldnt remember it. So I think she would have learned them after, picking them up faster than the average person but not immediately. Understanding how to play on a technical level is one thing but it takes practice to build up the muscles and breath support you need to play well.
Toy Soldier
Based on it's backstory comic it could speak/sing and got it's voice as we hear it from the angel person, but I think it learned to play the mandolin/glockenspiel after it joined the mechs because we don't really see it play in Lashings.
Tim
I think Tim knew how to play before the moon war and brought the guitar with him and would use it when they'd sing to boost morale. Maybe he'd do little duets with the toy soldier.
Raphaella
Honestly it could go either way. It'd be funny if she showed up on the Aurora like hey guys i also cracked secret to immortality can I join your band I play an instrument.
Marius
Like Ashes, I dont think he would have had the means to learn, and then with the war stuff and partial amnesia, so I think he learned post mechanization.
