Soldiers' Songs

While music has always been a crucial part of soldiers' lives, in Iraq and Afghanistan soldiers can create music while they're at war. Most of the troops have laptops, and some have microphones and production software. "The song has to be good first — some of it is really terrible," Gilfillan says. "These guys are producing in Iraq, not hundred-thousand-dollar studios. We try to listen to the quality of the content." Grammy-nominated engineer John Mailloux works with the tracks, trying to make the most of them and, if possible, bringing in the artists to record overdubs.

The label's comps are on iTunes and at tothefallenrecords.com, with a portion of proceeds going toward veterans groups. Gilfillan hopes to begin releasing full albums by summer. "We want to feature someone on active duty," says the veteran, whose back is covered with a tattoo that reads "To the Fallen." "But we have to go through military channels, and they're still a little busy right now."