Everybody in the Pool
Learning Secrets and LCD Soundsystem vet team up for charity pool party bash
Photo by: Miguel Angel
Photo by: Miguel Angel
Photo by: Miguel Angel
Photo by: Miguel Angel
Photo by: Miguel Angel
Photo by: Miguel Angel
Photo by: Miguel Angel
To your right, around 200 (mostly) tanned and toned Austinites are soaking up the sun in a pair of pools with a pristine elevated view of downtown Austin.
Look to the left, and there's Nancy Whang, a key member of dearly departed electro-dance band LCD Soundsystem and a truly gifted DJ, keeping the masses moving for hours at a time.
If it wasn’t a postcard Sunday afternoon in Austin it was as close as anyone’s going to come, which is exactly how Jeramy Neugent and his creative partner Ian Orth first envisioned it years ago when they created their party and promotions company Learning Secrets.
“We spend so much time DJing and throwing dance-focused events in dark clubs, the idea of a chilled-out, daytime poolside party just seemed like a breath of fresh air,” said Neugent, who, with Orth, organized Sunday’s Learning Secrets Pool Party. “It's something different. A new and fun way to beat the brutal Texas heat that's not on a boat way out on Lake Travis.”
Sponsored by a bevy of beverage companies including Sailor Jerry, Corona, Red Bull, and Tito's, the day also served as a fundraiser for Austin Pets Alive! In a bit of charitable synchronicity, the pool party was one half of two events benefitting the no-kill pet adoption charity, with a more live-music focused event held at Scoot Inn that afternoon.
Held at the pool of the pet-friendly AMLI loft apartment building in the Second Street district, the party was a welcome return to Austin for Whang – she’s performed at a handful of Learning Secrets’ parties through the years – who does occasional DJ events when not working on music with bands such as The Juan MacLean.
“I can never say no to these guys because we’ve always had so much fun doing stuff in the past,” Whang said while relaxing in the water during a break between her DJ sets.
Exhausted from working to plan every facet of the party, Neugent was ebullient as he reflected on the success of the day. “Finding a proper pool is much easier said than done. But it felt like when you throw a birthday party and everyone you invited, that you love, shows up, gets along and has the time of their life.”
