By Serik Slobodskoy
Headroom
An essay a month, give or take. Me thinking out loud about music, the industry, and what it takes to make music you're proud of.
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October 19, 2026
Fifteen Fastballs: Why the Struggle Is the Point
A 1994 baseball study, a pile of tutorials, and how producers actually get better.
3 min read -
September 15, 2026
Why the Best Producers Think Less
What an MRI study of freestyle rappers reveals about mastering your craft.
4 min read -
August 11, 2026
Bottles, Perfectionism, and Finishing Music
A 24-hour remix deadline, the perfectionism trap, and why finishing beats polishing.
5 min read -
July 14, 2026
Almost Naked at the Grammys
Justin Bieber, a loop pedal, and the one thing AI can't generate.
5 min read -
June 9, 2026
Subscriptions, James Blake, and why music still comes first
James Blake's fan subscription quietly shut down after nine months. It wasn't a one-off.
3 min read