Meet the members who give Soho House Austin life

In 2021, Soho House Austin opened its doors on Music Lane, immediately accruing a community of local members who have since made the House what it is today. We’ve seen them refresh in the rooftop pool on hot summer days, drink Picantes on the wraparound terrace, and party to the state-of-the-art vintage sound system and DJs – surrounded by the eclectic art collection by 72 Texan-born and based artists woven throughout the club. Continuing our USA 20 celebrations the Soho House membership team selected a few Austin members to talk about what makes our first Texan House so great. 

Read on to meet artist and creative director, Moyo Oyelola; super connector and entrepreneur, Thanh Pham; author and investigative journalist, Jonathan Langley; social impact entrepreneur, advocate and advisor, Anna Casey; writer, director and producer, Sarah Jane Murray, cofounder of High Desert Cactus Vodka and Midnight Venture Partners, Ryan Springer, PR and events expert, Cara Caulkins, and musician and DJ, Ashmar Triggs.


Moyo Oyelola
Artist and creative director

How long have you been a member?
‘Since Soho House Austin opened in 2021.’ 

Why is Soho House special to you? And what makes your US House unique?
‘It created a natural cadence to run into my now fiancé after meeting at a Soho House event at the George Washington Carver Museum.’ 

How do you spend your time at Soho House? Any standout moments?
‘I use the House as a centering point, especially after being away for any amount of time. The organic confluence of friends creates deeper connections, while new connections expand my creative horizons. It also serves as an outlet for my creative expressions through collaborations with Soho House.

‘My standout memory has to be the pre-opening party. The large number of friends in one space that night was actually overwhelming, in a good way, and a sign of what was to come. The weekend visit with members from Cities Without Houses was another great memory that led to us exploring Austin together.’

Top, from left: Moyo Oyelola,
Anna Casey, Chip Belton, Eddna Montelongo and Cara Caulkins
Above, from left: Moyo Oyelola; Ryan Springer, Sarah Jane Murray and John Sanchez in the House

Thanh Pham
Super connector and events host

How long have you been a member?
‘Since day one when the Austin House opened in 2021.’

Why is Soho House special to you? And what makes your US House unique?
‘It’s an eclectic group of people that support each other and want to see each other succeed. There’s enough growth for everyone and we all want to collaborate. Soho House Austin has a wide range of events that expand your mind.’

How do you spend your time at Soho House? Any standout moments?
‘Every month, I host a talk on a specific topic to educate members on how to level up in life – whether it’s public speaking, mental health, hosting dinner parties or travel hacks. You name it, I’ve likely done a talk on it. It also provides a platform for members to share, because we have so many great people with a special gift that needs to be shared.’

Above, clockwise from top left: Ryan Springer, Sarah Jane Murray, Moyo Oyelola, Anna Casey, Jonathan Langley and Thanh Pham; Anna Casey and Moyo Oyelola hang out at the piano; Jonathan Langley; Thanh Pham

Jonathan Langley
Author and investigative journalist

How long have you been a member?
‘I’m a Founder member of Soho House Austin, so since the beginning.’ 

Why is Soho House special to you? And what makes your US House unique?
‘Soho House Austin has the perfect atmosphere for me to do my writing two to three times a week. For me, it’s like a home from home and, amazingly, the staff know my idiosyncrasies, including how I like my coffee to be really hot to the point of scalding. It’s the small things like this that make all the difference. Other Houses that I really like are 76 Dean Street in London and Soho House Holloway in LA. Similar to Soho House Austin, they have a smaller, intimate feel that appeals to me.’

How do you spend your time at Soho House? Any standout moments?
‘In addition to using the House to write, I like to entertain friends there and even have a business meeting once in a while. Although all of these have to be accompanied by a Hendricks Gin & Tonic, it’s never too early for a cocktail in my experience.’


Anna Casey
Social entrepreneur, advocate and advisor to social impact and art leaders 

How long have you been a member? 
‘For 18 months.’
 
Why is Soho House special to you? And what makes your US House unique? 
‘I used to go to the original House in Soho back when I lived in London, but always as a guest, so I’ve been a fan of the Houses for around a decade. Even so, when the House opened in Austin, I was worried about gentrification because of my family’s deep roots as artists and musicians here. However, my first experience with Soho House Austin was when they brought George Clinton’s exhibit to the Carver Museum and African American Cultural Center on the East Side, and I went to the opening night with my family. Understanding the positive impact that the House was having on my community convinced me to join. It’s still one of the only social spaces in Austin where I can go and know that there will always be other women and men of colour in the room. It’s done a great job in that regard.’
 
How do you spend your time at Soho House? Any standout moments?
‘I work, eat, relax and socialise at the House, as well as taking part in programming. And this year I was a Creative Futures Collective mentor. 

‘Standout moments? After meeting at that Carver Museum event, my soon-to-be-husband and I fell in love over the course of three months on the House patio. We just spent hours and hours talking there in the spring evenings of last year. The weather was perfect, the patio was romantic, and the team were amazing. My fiancé also created my engagement ring with Austin-based jeweller and Soho House member Nak Armstrong.’

Above, clockwise from top left: Anna Casey; Sarah Jane Murray; Anna Casey, Ryan Springer and Thanh Pham relax in Soho House Austin

Sarah Jane Murray
Emmy-nominated writer, award-winning director, producer, academic, and author

How long have you been a member?
‘Since 2019. But I visited for years with friends in other cities and hosted events with them at the Houses.’

Why is Soho house special to you? And what makes your US House unique? 
‘The ability for creative collaborations. It’s not often that we cross industries and enter a space where we can socialise, encourage each other, and grow alongside fellow makers. It’s a safe haven from the humdrum of the outside world, and a place I love to come and write. It’s special to see friends across so many cities and countries drop in. In Austin, we’re very consciously growing at the intersection of music, film and tech, so it’s a thriving hub of possibility adjacent to the mainstream, without being swallowed up and completely defined by it.’

How do you spend your time at Soho House? Any standout moments?
‘I write, a lot. I also see movies all the time. And I’ve hosted some wonderful dinner parties with friends who have enjoyed meeting each other. It truly feels like a team is always there for us. I have to give a shout out to the pool. Once you check in, it’s hard to check out. My favourite event is our jazz night with Joshua Banbury. Where else can you relax, enjoy the vibe, and hear an up-and-coming jazz vocalist who has already headlined Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center, and is about to debut at the Apollo? We met through Soho House and have become firm friends.’

Above, from left: Cara Caulkins and Ashmar Triggs enjoy a drink; Ryan Springer; Cara Caulkins

Ryan Springer
Cofounder of High Desert Cactus Vodka and Midnight Venture Partners

How long have you been a member?
‘Since May 2021.’

Why is Soho House special to you? And what makes your US House unique? 
‘The sense of community among members and staff at Soho House makes it special to me. Walking in with friends, knowing the people that work there and knowing other members as you sit down is really fun. It feels very comfortable. Soho House Austin feels especially laid back; the culture here is slow and friendly. It’s one of the more diverse places in the city, and it’s fun to expand my experience beyond the same group of friends I’ve been hanging out with for years.’

How do you spend your time at Soho House? Any standout moments?
‘I spend my time in multiple ways: I take meetings there, hang by the pool, and invite friends for food and drinks to catch up in a relaxed setting.’


Cara Caulkins
PR and events expert

How long have you been a member? 
‘I think since around 2017 – first in Chicago, then I moved over to Cities Without Houses in Austin, and eventually became a Soho House Austin Founder member.’ 

Why is Soho House special to you? And what makes your US House unique?
‘My favourite part about Soho House is probably the community. I’ve made so many meaningful, intentional friendships and work relationships through the House. And I love being able to travel all over the world and meet people through Soho House in other cities and countries.’

How do you spend your time at Soho House? Any standout moments?
‘Typically, you’ll find me having meetings in the club, hanging at the pool on the weekends, or grabbing drinks and dinner with friends. I love attending live music events, and probably one of my favourite moments in Austin was our launch party when the House first opened. A favourite Soho House memory in general was taking a weekender trip to New Orleans – I highly recommend the weekenders if you haven’t done one yet.’

Above: Ashmar Triggs

Ashmar Triggs
Musician and DJ 

How long have you been a member?
‘For about three months.’

Why is Soho House special to you? And what makes your US House unique?
‘Soho House is special to me, because no matter which city the House is in, within those four walls there’s a community that is unmatched. There’s an authenticity among the creatives. The Austin House is awesome, because as the city grows and maintains conventions such as Afrotech, it acts as a hub that allows you to network with all types of creatives from all over.’

How do you spend your time at Soho House? Any standout moments?
‘When I’m not DJing, I spend my time speaking with business owners and vendors about potential opportunities. I used to work for Soho House Austin as a food runner – now I have one of the best residencies there, alongside my bandmate Stefon Osae.’

Explore and apply for membership at Soho House Austin.