Music has always been at the heart of Jack Shepler, aka Jackola. Growing up Jack took part in many choirs, both bell and vocal, as well as learned to play piano, giving him a strong musical background. All through high school Jack’s main interest was music and was a “bedroom DJ” aspiring for more, so he traded in his bass guitar for a pair of turntables and a mixer — he hasn’t left them alone since.

In 2003 he had his first “real” DJ gig — a benefit dance at his college that he repeated the following year. In late 2005 Jackola was offered a DJ residency at The Mark III Taproom in Muncie, Indiana, where he really honed his skills as a house DJ amongst other styles.

Jack promoted indie rock shows in Muncie under the name “Rock Music Review Showcase”, featuring bands like Everthus the Deadbeats, Everything, Now!, Brazil and touring bands, supporting and promoting his online music magazine, rockmusicreview.com. In early 2007 Jack graduated college and moved to Indianapolis where he quickly became a part of the local music scene - both electronic and indie rock.

In May 2007, Jack and some long time friends founded sideTrack Entertainment. The group started booking and promoting a weekly electronic night called PLUSH on Thursdays at Therapy Nightclub & Lounge in Indianapolis, IN. The night, which went strong for over 9 months, booked over 50 quality, up-and-coming DJs.

Jack is also one of the founding promoters for the Broad Ripple Music Festival, a yearly festival featuring hundreds of bands on 20+ stages that benefits 20+ non-profits. He also writes a monthly column, “Discopolis”, for NUVO Newsweekly that covers dance and electronic music in Indianapolis.

Jackola’s musical style is eclectic to say the least. You may catch him playing dance rock and electro house between bands at a concert, or spinning funky house, tech house or minimal techno in other atmospheres. Jackola has played alongside many internationally recognized bands and DJs, including DJ Shortee, JJ Flores & Steve Smooth, Mickey Avalon, Dirt Nasty, Tommie Sunshine, Scotty Thomson, Adam Jay, Star Steady, Slater Hogan, DJ Shiva, M Project, Everthus the Deadbeats and DJ Deanne.

In 2008 you can catch him playing at the Forecastle Festival in Louisville, KY, the Monolith Music Festival at Red Rocks in Colorado, and at dance music events throughout the Midwest.

Past Gigs

2008
7-12 Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund Benefit, All Day Festival @ Therapy Nightclub, Indianapolis
7-11 JCKL minimal set, Art Gallery Opening @ Big Car Gallery, Indianapolis
6-28 RENDEZVOUS @ Rachael’s Cafe, Bloomington, IN
6-19 Tommie Sunshine @ Talbott Street, Indianapolis
5-22 JJ Flores & Steve Smooth @ Talbott Street, Indianapolis
4-19 RENDEZVOUS @ Rachael’s Cafe, Bloomington, IN
4-17 FuQ @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge, Indianapolis
4-4 Spring Fling @ Mo’s Tavern, Muncie, IN
2-15 FREEZEPOP Concert @ RADIO RADIO, Indianapolis
2-14 PLUSH LOVE @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge, Indianapolis
1-31 PLUSH @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge, Indianapolis
1-28 UGLY MONDAY @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge, Indianapolis
1-3 JCKL minimal set, PLUSH @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge

2007
12-22 Keepin’ It Deep Sundays @ Lulu’s Restaurant & Cocktails (Indianapolis, IN)
12-13 Glam for the Holidays w/ DJ Shortee, Deanne @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge
12-11 Konkrete Jungle @ The Melody Inn (Indianapolis, IN)
11-15 K, THX! as part of sideTrack DJs @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge
11-1 PLUSH (25th Edition) @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge
10-31 The Asylum Halloween Part @ Club Level (Indianapolis, IN)
10-13 Electronic Showcase, Broad Ripple Fall Music Festival @ Indy CD & Vinyl (Indianapolis, IN)
10-4 PLUSH (Funky Birthday Edition) @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge
9-13 PLUSH @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge
8-23 UGLY MONDAY @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge
8-9 PLUSH @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge
7-21 UGLY MONDAY @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge
7-5 PLUSH @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge
6-18 In-Store Performance @ Indy CD & Vinyl
6-7 FOREPLAY @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge
5-24 PLUSH @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge
5-10 PLUSH @ Therapy Nightclub & Lounge
3-30 Women’s Week @ Mo’s Tavern (Muncie, IN)
3-29 DANCE PARTY @ Doc’s Music Hall (Muncie, IN)
3-8 EDEN2 @ Talbott Street (Indianapolis, IN)
3-7 Mickey Avalon @ Talbott Street (Indianapolis, IN)
3-2 Therapy Nightclub (Indianapolis, IN)
2-9 Indiana Youth Group Valentine’s Dance (Indianapolis, IN)

2006
12-31 ICE Ultra Lounge (New Years Eve)
12-26 Therapy Nightclub & Lounge (”Homo for the Holidays”)
12-23 ICE Ultra Lounge
12-16 ICE Ultra Lounge (PP - swingers)
12-7 Local’s Only (between sets - Ambulette show)
12-2 ICE Ultra Lounge (PP)
11-22 ICE Ultra Lounge (PP)
11-18 ICE Ultra Lounge
11-15 Mark III Taproom
11-11 ICE Ultra Lounge
11-8 Mark III Taproom
11-3 Mark III Taproom
11-1 Mark III Taproom
10-28 (DRAG SHOW)
10-25 Mark III Taproom
10-21 Mark III Taproom
10-18 Mark III Taproom
10-15 Luna Records (before Osobi Seksu In-Store Performance)
10-11 Mark III Taproom
10-4 Mark III Taproom
9-30 Mark III Taproom (DRAG SHOW)
9-27 Mark III Taproom
9-23 Mark III Taproom
9-20 Mark III Taproom
9-15 Mark III Taproom
9-13 Mark III Taproom
9-9 Water Skiiing Tournament - Ohio
9-6 Mark III Taproom
8-30 Mark III Taproom
8-25 Mark III Taproom
8-23 Mark III Taproom
8-19 Mark III Taproom
8-16 Mark III Taproom
8-15 The Vault in downtown Indianapolis
8-12 Local’s Only (vinyl — all day — MMS Standard Showcase)
8-11 Indy CD & Vinyl (vinyl — all day — MMS Rock Music Review / TheMuncieScene.com Showcase)
8-9 Mark III Taproom
8-5 Mark III Taproom
8-2 Mark III Taproom
7-26 HOUSEboat v2.0, Beaver Creek, KY
7-22 Mark III Taproom
7-19 Mark III Taproom
7-15 Mark III Taproom (Miss Gay Indiana in Review DRAG SHOW)
7-12 Mark III Taproom
7-8 Mark III Taproom
7-7 House Party
7-5 Mark III Taproom
7-1 Mark III Taproom
6-28 Mark III Taproom
6-24 Mark III Taproom (special house night)
6-21 Mark III Taproom
6-14 Mark III Taproom
6-7 Mark III Taproom
6-3 Mark III Taproom
5-31 Mark III Taproom
5-27 Mark III Taproom
5-26 house party @ La Casa de Jackola
5-20 Mark III Taproom (DRAG SHOW)
5-19 house party @ La Casa de Jackola
5-17 Mark III Taproom
5-10 Mark III Taproom
5-3 Mark III Taproom
4-29 Mark III Taproom (DRAG SHOW)
4-26 Mark III Taproom
4-22 Mark III Taproom
4-19 Mark III Taproom
4-15 Mark III Taproom
4-12 Mark III Taproom
4-8 Mark III Taproom
4-6 Washington Street Block Party
4-5 Mark III Taproom
4-1 Mark III Taproom
3-29 Mark III Taproom
3-25 Mark III Taproom (DRAG SHOW)
3-22 Mark III Taproom
3-18 Mark III Taproom
3-17 The Beer Barn
3-15 Mark III Taproom
3-11 Mark III Taproom
3-8 Mark III Taproom
3-4 Mark III Taproom
3-1 Mark III Taproom
2-25 Mark III Taproom (MARDI GRAS DRAG SHOW)
2-22 Mark III Taproom
2-18 Mark III Taproom
2-15 Mark III Taproom
2-11 Mark III Taproom
2-10 Mark III Taproom
2-4 Mark III Taproom
2-3 Mark III Taproom
1-28 Mark III Taproom (DRAG SHOW)
1-27 Mark III Taproom
1-21 Mark III Taproom