On Saturday, pop-rock act MER will perform at Otto’s, 118 E. Lincoln Highway.

Also scheduled to perform are Monkey Fingers and Scottie Long.

Admission is $6 at the door and the first band will take the stage at 9 p.m.

MER has a lengthy history and relationship with DeKalb and the Chicago music community.

Originally studying classical music as a pianist, the artsist known as MER decided to explore the improvisational universe of jazz. In high school the pianist picked up a guitar and pursued new opportunities of song writing.

“I liked music to challenge me,” said MER in regard to his change in instrumentation.

The Chicago native comes from a family of musicians and remembers being exposed to a variety of styles and artists in his childhood. MER cites an eclectic roster of influences including Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, the Mars Volta, Kanye West and Rage Against the Machine.

As a performer, MER enjoys hearing what other artists have written and the ideas from which songs are constructed. The guitarist utilizes familiar melodies in his own songs allowing audiences to become attached to songs right away.

MER has progressed from performing as a solo act to a full band. Cafés and smaller bars allowed the guitarist to expand his repertoire and perfect his live experience. The early stages of the band sounded similar to a jam band with progressive and jazz undertones.

“I’m tired of being bored at live shows,” says MER and frowns upon the restraints of repetition. “I want to give people different stuff all the time.”

He feels songs should contrast in sound and the manner in which they are presented. Considering the arrangement of a song, MER will grab his acoustic or electric guitar. Duo sets usually feature his long time friend of nine years, Mike Alongi, on drums.

MER laughs at the thought of his drummer outlasting any of his past girlfriends.

The pop-rock and progressively focused guitarist has three releases in his discography. In 2005, MER released his first EP, “Revealed.” The “Trio” LP was released in 2004 and a six-piece LP called “Familiar Ground” was released in 2002.

As a full-time performer, MER travels and plays shows in and out of Illinois. The guitarist loves the benefits and opportunities Chicago embraces with its name. When playing out of state, MER will trade shows with other bands that jump at the opportunity of playing a larger stage in Chicago.

The city has allowed MER to open for local acts such as Liquid Soul and Kill Hannah at Chicago’s House of Blues and Metro.

This is not the first nor will be the last time DeKalb will hear and see MER perform. The guitarist spent two and a half years at NIU studying and several other years living in the town. MER frequently performs at functions in conjunction with NIU.

“I’m a little nervous, but bringing the whole band,” says MER regarding the upcoming performance at Otto’s.

Adrian Finiak is a music critic for the Northern Star.