Lyra Studios founder Harrison Nida has done it all. From Classical in the form of the Ragazzi Boys Choir and San Francisco Orchestra, Jazz residencies at Stanford Jazz Institute and California Jazz Conservatory, a degree in Music from Fordham University, but ultimately landing as co-founder of Ska Punk band Victory Kid.
Signed to Sbäm Records in Austria, Victory Kid has worked with some of the industry's best. Allan Hessler (Story Of The Year, Avenged Sevenfold, The Used) elevated the band's sound with debut record, Discernation, an ambitious, technically accomplished album. Featuring Matt Appleton (Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish, Ice Nine Kills) on horns, Discernation received over 3 million streams on Spotify and counting, as well as a record deal and tour in Germany with the Mad Caddies in 2022. Nine companions set out, including Matt on sax, Arion Salazar (Third Eye Blind) on bass, and Jonas Wolf (Eluveitie, Illumishade) on lead guitar.
But Victory Kid has an ace in the hole: Catalyst, their sophomore album, is a seventeen track masterpiece. Continuing with Appleton, who wrote and recorded horns, the gang enlisted Michael Pepe (Taking Back Sunday, Set It Off, Silverstein) to produce their next project. With drums recorded at Capitol Studios (along with an acoustic track) and the rest done at Fab Factory,Catalyst, puts an even stronger foot on the line as Victory Kid squares up for success.
Since then, they've toured the US, including a sold out Viper Room show in LA in 2024, and returned to Europe for a massive tour with Zebrahead, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, and The Real McKenzies in 2025. They have shared the stage with Rancid, Dropkick Murphys, Bowling For Soup, Millencolin, Alien Ant Farm, Save Ferris, Authority Zero, Destroy Boys, Enter Shikari, The Bouncing Souls, and more!
But what really sets Harrison apart is his previous teaching experience. Having taught for years at Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, as well as giving lessons with SoundLife Academy, Harrison uses not only his experience but his collective knowledge coming from a long heritage of educators to tailor the needs of every student with attention and care.
