“Funny the Way It Is,” the first single from the Dave Matthews Band’s upcoming album, “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King,” is now available as a free download at davematthews.com.

The entire album (featuring cover art drawn by Matthews) will be available for pre-order later this week. And those who pre-order will get a free copy of the three-CD set, “Live Trax Vol. 15: 08.09.08 Alpine Valley Music Theatre,” from one of the band’s most sought-after live shows of the last year.

The band’s 2009 tour opens tonight at Madison Square Garden. The summer leg includes a three-night stand at The Gorge Sept. 4, 5 and 6 with G. Love & Special Sauce and the Yonder Mountain String Band.