She had discovered the group’s freshman album, ‘Everything All the Time,’ and encouraged a couple of friends to venture to the Village Tavern and see a show.

We all loved it.

Fast-forward a few years, and appreciation for Band of Horses has spread like wildfire throughout the Lowcountry and the rest of the country.

The band returns for a Charleston show Friday, much to the excitement of fans who have supported them from the very beginning.

One of the special things about Friday’s show is that it will support local charities. One dollar from every ticket sold will be donated to local chapters of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

In addition, the first two rows of the audience have been auctioned off to support Charleston Waterkeeper, a city project to protect Charleston’s best-loved resource: its water.

Besides helping out local organizations, Band of Horses has been occupied with touring to promote the newest album, ‘Infinite Arms,’ featuring the song ‘On My Way Back Home.’

Lead singer Ben Bridwell chatted about the band’s recent progress, its musical influences and the reasons the members love Charleston.

Q: Talk about ‘Infinite Arms.’ What do you think is different about it?

A: For the first two albums, we weren’t as solid of a band, for one thing. I guess the first album, in particular, we were in transition and getting our feet wet.

With the second album, we were still in transition a little bit. But for this last record, we have everything in place. We’d been on the road for about three years before we recorded this latest album. It feels like the band is finally unified.

We explored new things, which we might not have done if someone had been there to blow the whistle, so to speak.

Q: What are Band of Horses’ biggest influences?

A: Being human is a big part. Our everyday experiences in real life are a massive influence.

If you mean on a musical level, I’d say Neil Young, soul music, roots music, indie rock from the ’90s. … It all gets in there.

At least for me, growing up and listening to Neil Young was a huge influence.

His guitar music and the higher-register singing inspire me.

For the other band members, I’d say traditional guitar, classical and even rap for Creighton. And then Ryan has more soul than any white guy I’ve ever met.

Q: Are there any bands in Charleston that you make it a point to see when you come home?

A: I like a band called Company. They are fantastic. A friend of mine also has a band called the Outervention, and he’s a great songwriter.

There are tons of people around Charleston making really cool music.

Unfortunately when I come home, I don’t have time to see as many bands as I’d like to see. But I always support the music scene whenever possible.

Q: Tell us your favorite things about coming home to Charleston.

A: I do love to go surfing. But I have a young family at home, so it’s harder to do that nowadays compared to when I was on my own.

Mostly now it’s just spending time with my family, that’s the biggest thing. But I still love to get into the water as soon as possible.

I spend my free time writing new song material when I can. And I hit up Yo Burrito at least once in awhile I’m home. I love their tacos.

But mainly, I have a lot of pride in the Carolinas and I love representing our state in a positive light.