Biography

Quinn XCII in Concert

Genre boundaries are merely a suggestion for the Detroit-based musician Mikael Temrowski, who records as Quinn XCII. (The moniker merges the acronym for the phrase "Quit Unless Your Instincts Are Never Neglected" and the Roman numerals for the last two digits of Temrowski's birth year, 1992.) His 2017 debut album, ‘The Story of Us,' combines whimsical electro-pop, laid-back hip-hop and reggae, and quirky indie rock. These disparate styles are anchored by a poised delivery, which reflects the years Temrowski spent honing his flow by rapping over existing beats.

This eclectic approach stems directly from the musician's upbringing. Temrowski grew up in a household where Motown songs (think Jackson 5, The Temptations) were in heavy rotation, and he eventually started embracing newer acts such as Twenty One Pilots, Jon Bellion, and Jack Johnson. While attending Michigan State University, Temrowski began taking music more seriously; in fact, he'd travel frequently to the University of Michigan and collaborate on recordings with a childhood friend, producer Ayokay.

This partnership produced a chilled-out electro-pop pastiche called "Kings of Summer" that became a monster viral hit in 2016, on the strength of wistful lyrics reminiscing about late-night mischief and warm weather shenanigans. Temrowski built on this momentum with his second Quinn XCII EP, ‘Bloom,' and a well-received national tour. This too helped him develop larger-than-life stage presence; in fact, today Temrowski is known as a dynamite live performer with the ability to pump up a crowd via a passionate stage presence and soulful, precise vocals.

In 2018, he continued promoting ‘The Story of Us' and newer non-album singles "Panama" and "The City" with appearances at high-profile festivals such as Lollapalooza and Outside Lands, and kicked off a new career chapter by linking up with the management firm Visionary Music Group. Yet what hasn't changed at all is Temrowski's approach to building a career: winning over fans, one concert at a time.