China Jackson has been a lifelong advocate for house music. Originally from Gary, Indiana, Jackson discovered house music in middle school and was soon consumed, spending hours in front of his radio, immersed in Chicago’s airwaves. By 1988 while in high-school, he was already working in broadcasting for WLTH and WGVE. Jackson went onto studying television broadcasting in College, eventually earning the opprotunity to host the TV show, “Straight Up”. He moved to Indianapolis in 1994, landing a job hosting Rawfootedge, a music video show aired on MTV2/The Box Indianapolis. During the 90’s, Jackson promoted various house music events and worked A&R for several independent Hip-Hop labels, bridging the 2 genres and communities. In 2016, Jackson co-founded Indy House Heads, a collective devoted to bringing up House music in Indianapolis. Within a couple of years from that, China Jackson became both artist and leader of A&E for Plain Face Music, a label founded by a high school classmate, Rex Racer. China dropped his debut EP in 2018. Currently, he has been working behind the scenes and DJing, along with promoting tons of house music events over the last few years. Some of them free events out in the community! Graveyard Radio is stoked to have an exclusive mix from someone who has put in so much work.
Also worth noting the documentary Jackson co-produced with Amillion Miles from Mecca. A tribute to house music legacy in Indianapolis.
This mix comes correct with multiple different vibes! It’s a teansy bit short, but the set is definitely sweet. We get a nice minimal opening with Rondell Adams’ “Mood” to bring us in deep to set the tone. It’s a smooth delight when “Crazy For It” comes into the mix. This 2025 release was a highlight for me and was quickly added to our summer hits Spotify playlist.
Jackson makes a bold mixes like bringing in some Jazz flavors with Kerri Chandlers “Track 1 Revisited”. Keeping the energy up with a re-work of Los Hacheros’ “Descarga para Abe”. Jackson drops the classic “Big Love” in this as well, before putting down the soulful extended mix of “Break 4 Love” by Raze. These tracks are hitting all the right buttons. My ears have been getting a little worn from all that Tech House I’ve been exposing myself to as of late. Good to get some fresh minimal vibes, with some warm soul pumping through the speakers. Also loved hearing some old school Latin House with the 2005’s Yoruba Remix of “Dento Mi Alma” by Jazzyronik. This set definitely has some diversity to it. It gets a little Acid at the end, but could not get an ID. Things get wrapped up with South African artist, Black Coffee and his track “Even Through”. Going from Acid to this soulful, R&B style track was a brilliant blend.
That brings me to this Saturday, when the Indy House Heads collective will be taking over The Mousetrap! $6 advanced tickets, $10 the day of. Purchase those by clicking the link here.