Saint Ophelia, a local alternative folk rock band, will premiere its self-titled debut album during a CD-release performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, in the Katherine L. White Hall.

The band formed a little more than a year ago and has since performed to many enthusiastic island audiences. Singer-songwriter Joseph Panzetta and Rebekah Kuzma, both on vocals and acoustic guitar, front the group that includes Dan Tyack on pedal steel guitar, Michael Marcus on bass and Wesley Peterson on drums.

Saint Ophelia’s sound is a blend of vocals, musicianship and original songs that crisscross many styles and genres, including a bit of country western, blues, soul and ballads.

“My songwriting is from the school of Stephen Stills and Neil Young,” Panzetta said. “But we also get pretty funky at times and people start dancing.”

The band emphasizes the harmonies of Kuzma and Panzetta. Kuzma’s vocal talent comes from years of classical training, singing in choirs and being a church cantor. The two sang together for the first time on a Voice of Vashon radio show, and Panzetta said they came away knowing they had to collaborate more.

“There’s a synergy around the band coming together that feels magical,” Kuzma said. “It’s all unfolded in ways I couldn’t have imagined, culminating in the creation of this recording.”

Islander Martin Feveyear, a record producer and live sound engineer, recorded the band’s CD during a live session over six days in Vashon’s Chinese House.

“We all knew Rebekah was a great singer, but we’d not seen her with the right vehicle, and a lot of people knew Joe was a great songwriter,” Feveyear said, recalling a performance of the band at Snapdragon. “Hearing them together for the first time, it was clear we were witnessing something special. It’s been my pleasure to see the music flourish into this wonderful recording.”

Kuzma said that while she interprets music, her singing comes from a place she can’t explain.

“Joe’s songs allow me to bring my sense of that place to the music, so it becomes a breathing, living organism, and that’s what happens in our band,” she said.

Panzetta attributes some of the band’s creative success to a combination of hard work and chemistry. “I’ve worked really hard at the craft of songwriting and believe that this is the best material I’ve ever written,” he said. “But what I find particularly gratifying is how the songs take on a much fuller and expressive form with the band.”

Band member and pedal steel player Tyack, who has performed and recorded with artists such as Jackson Brown, Graham Nash and Bill Frisell, said, “This is the best playing I’ve ever done. This music just explodes at you with all these ideas you haven’t heard before.”

Saint Ophelia will play the entirety of their new album live during the first set of Saturday’s performance. The second set will include some new material and covers, accentuated by appearances of special guests joining the band.

Tickets, $8 and $10, can be purchased in advance at vashoncenterforthearts.org. All tickets at the door cost $16.