What has been nearly a lifetime of music for local singer and songwriter, 23-year-old Whitney Myer, will culminate in the release of her second album today at the Knitting Factory in Reno.

“It’s actually technically the second CD, the first CD we recorded when I was 16,” Myer said. “We didn’t get the first CD mastered or printed or have a CD release party.”

For Myer, today’s performance to mark the release of “Dream Killer” signals a different direction for her musical dreams, which include her father and uncle who perform as part of her band.

Although the CD’s title is a play on how people can be their own worst enemy, Myer explained, the CD itself has been a rediscovery of her own musical ambitions.

“This time we put a lot more work into the production,” Myer said. “This time we got the CD mastered and printed and I have a couple friends who are art majors at UNR to help with the artwork.”

With the help of photographer Ashley Robison, digital artist Robin McKenzie and artist Arika Dominack, Myer said the CD looks professional, which is great because the music is as well.

“My dad and uncle have been musicians for 40-plus years,” said Myer, who explained she has been singing since she was in elementary school. “They have played in a lot of bands locally and nationally. They have a lot of knowledge of recording and music in general.”

Hitting the recording studio in the fall of 2009 into the spring of 2010, Myer put her songwriting skills to work in conjunction with her father and uncle’s musical knowledge and talent.

“I started writing songs with my dad when I was 14,” Myer said. “I played a few shows with my dad and open mic nights, but in college I focused on it. Even though I majored in Spanish, I always wanted to be a singer and a musician.”

Rediscovering her passion for music, Myer said the material just came to her.

“That’s how the CD came about,” Myer said. “We just started playing again and writing again and it just started flowing out.

“One of the songs I put on the CD, I wrote when I was studying in Spain which was 2006,” Myer added. “But all the other songs were written in a three- to four-month time span.”

The CD showcases the band’s signature sound, Myer said.

“We call it popsoulfunk,” she said. “We like to smash all three words together.”

Myer, who started the open mic nights on Wednesdays at the Great Basin Brewing Co. in Sparks, said she tries to stay connected with the music scene as well as the local community. Proceeds from today’s performance benefit a local nonprofit.

“All the ticket sales and half of our merchandise sales go to the Northern Nevada International Center,” Myer said.

Holding the show at the Knitting Factory, Myer said she hopes more people are willing to come out and support local music and a local cause.

“It’s a family friendly band and family friendly show,” she said.

Free tickets for tonight’s performance can be picked up at the Great Basin Brewing Co. in Sparks at 846 Victorian Ave. Once the supply of free tickets runs out, those interested in attending can pay the $6 admission at the door. The performance begins at 7 p.m.

“We would basically like to show Reno who we are and prove that a locally unsigned band can fill out places like the Knitting Factory,” Myer said, adding there will be an aerialist at the show who will perform with silk and hoops.

For more information about the Whitney Myer Band, visit www.whitneymyerband.com. For information about the show, visit http://re.knittingfactory.com.