"Count Cadence" was born from my own experiences and the realization that military training prepares you to survive almost everything except what can happen after you come home. Built around an authentic Army cadence from basic training, the song captures the contrast between the discipline of marching in formation and the silent battles that follow when the noise fades. It explores PTSD, nightmares, hypervigilance, isolation, thoughts that are hard to talk about, and the daily decision to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
While the story is rooted in the veteran experience, this song is for anyone fighting battles that can't be seen. Whether you're carrying trauma, grief, addiction, anxiety, depression, or simply trying to find your way again, you're not alone. Sometimes strength isn't found in winning the fight. Sometimes it's found in choosing to take one more breath, one more step, and one more day. If this song reminds even one person that they're not fighting alone, then it accomplished exactly what it was written to do.more