Songs of God and Whiskey
Good morning,
We’re happy to announce that tomorrow we will be releasing not one, but two records. The first is a mostly electronic/synth-driven/beat-driven record called Dope Machines, and it will be available everywhere. The second is an acoustic and rock and roll record, called Songs of God and Whiskey. That record will only be available on our website beginning at midnight tonight.
If you’re receiving this email, it’s because you’re on our email list which means you’ve probably been to a show or maybe even that we’ve met you at some point in the past eight years out on the road. After all, that’s how this email list was made—culled over endless hours in venues around the world meeting people, covered in sweat, the room stinking of beer. For that reason, we felt it was only appropriate that we announce this news to you first (it’s not being announced anywhere else for a while) and to tell you that we’re so glad that we’ve gotten to meet you through these years, to see the cities where you live, to share the moments we’ve shared in those sweaty, beer-soaked rooms.
The songs from _Songs of God and Whiskey_ are taken from 10 years of songwriting. Some are quite new, some are quite old. All were recorded by us as a group in a small studio on a hill in Los Angeles (Mount Washington, to be exact). We’re not doing any tricky chicanery on the tracks to make them hard to copy or send or reproduce. We’re quite aware that makes them easy to be traded on file-sharing sites, but hey I guess that’s the world we live in. We trust you’ll be cool and buy it if you want it. It’s seven bucks—the same amount we would get from iTunes if we sold it there.
It would be fashionable to say we decided to forego the long process of promotion and distribution of the modern music industry as a way of doing our part to attempt to realign the music world to be a more artist friendly environment in which the blah blah blah… But it’s not really true. (Even though we very much agree with those principles).
With this, we just had a simple idea in mind: make it and put it out.
Here are two tracks from the album:
Songs of God and Whiskey
1. Poor Isaac
2. Cocaine and Abel
3. A Certain Type of Girl
4. Change and Change and Change and Change
5. April is the Cruelest Month
6. The Lines of the Cars
7. Strangers
8. Why Why Why
9. California
10. The Fall of Rome
The cover art is a painting by artist Mike Stilkey. Mike is a decorated artist and Los Angeles native. His paintings and installations can be found in museums and private collections around the world. We were honored to have him collaborate with us for our 2009 Walt Disney Concert Hall show.
We’ll see you out on the road..
67 Comments
I have not purchased an album in a few years. However your trust in your fanbase is admirable…i’ll buy god and whiskey and torrent dope machines. Just kidding.
Love you guys..
This is the best news I’ve heard in weeks! Thank you for blessing the world with your music!
This is fantastic news. Having been an avid fan since album 1, it’s a pleasure to see a band such as this go from strength to strength. I will certainly be buying both albums. A wonderfully alternative way to release a new album to your fan base.
However, Im not entirely sure why my profile picture is that of a hybrid human/dog!
Love you guys and have bought everything you’ve put out. Really looking forward to buying your new album(s) but how do us UK folk get hold of Songs of God and Whisky? Do we have to buy Dope Machines from your web site and pay $13 to have it shipped to the UK?
My impatience got the better of me so I just went ahead and ordered the CD for shipment to the UK. I’m loving Songs of God and Whiskey so far. Can’t wait for Dope Machines to arrive!
Wow! What great news. We love everything you do and we can’t wait for you to come back to Utah. Thanks for always giving more than you have to. The way the world should be and you are helping it happen. Can’t wait to buy both records!!!!!!
Help!
I ordered the Dope cd on amazon.com 3 weeks ago (already being shipped) and now I found out about songs about God and Whiskey. Any idea on if the digital download will be available separately. When I go to the court I have to buy both items for $18.99 when I only need the one.
I agree. I am also a Utahn wishing you guys were coming back to our little state. My wife and I saw you a good five or six times between here and Vegas. In fact, the first time we saw you was on Fremont Street at a little bar called The Beauty Bar. Couldn’t have been more than 50 people at that show right after you guys blew up at SOuth by Southwest. We have seen you every time you’ve come to Utah. Half way want to drive to Colorado to see you guys as you are my wife and I’s favorite band. Love the new albums and thanks for all you do. I’m really liking the new sound of Dope Machines and loving Songs of God and Whiskey. All I’ve been listening to all day.
Wow! I can’t wait until midnight. It feels like Christmas! These two songs are fantastic, and the pre-release songs for Dope are too. Love the concept here. Sometimes as a maker you’ve just got to concentrate on the good guy – the one who pays for your music, art, books, films, and ignore the ones who wants to cheat and steal. They probably aren’t making anything.
What are you talking about? Maker??
Great news. I know what I will be doing at midnight
Thank you! What a great idea. Happy to buy it.
Very excited for the new record to land…..as I always say hurry up and come play down under.
Cheers Simon
I’m confused on how to get Songs of God and Whiskey. It says you have to purchase dope machines, which I have. (preordered from itunes long ago duh!). So….? What do I do to get Songs of God and Whiskey? I’m probably missing something obvious but I’m stumped 🙁
Thanks!
While I love the release made available to fans directly from the website, it falls slightly short on execution.
I pre-ordered Dope Machines via iTunes but unfortunately couldn’t cancel it in the short notice between the mailing list note and when it was automatically downloaded (several hours before midnight). So unless a separate purchase option is available, I won’t be able to access this (yes, I fully intend on paying you for it). Any help is appreciated!
Would be good to see you ‘out on the road’ but with only 3 dates in the UK – none of which I can make – it’s looking unlikely 🙁 Any plans for more UK dates or Festivals ?
Also I have pre-ordered ‘Dope Machines’ from Amazon UK for April release, so how can I get ‘Songs of God & Whiskey’ ?
Otherwise thanks for the good times 🙂
Andy (UK)
What a great surprise with the extra album! Have you guys ever thought of releasing “audiophile” versions of your music without the dynamic range compression? I’d love to get your music in a more dynamic format. There are outlets like HD Tracks that releae hi-rez music and you could do it there. I realize resolution and dynamic range compression are two different things, but I’ve noticed several bands/artists releasing separately mastered versions with less or no dynamic range compression through HD Tracks (or Pro Studio Masters or Quobuz) and thought I’d suggest it.
The reason I purchased don’t machines on the website was to get songs of God and whiskey. Otherwise I would have bought it at Newbury Comics and not have to wait for it to be shipped. The download will not work and it won’t let me try it again. I’d like to talk to someone about this, but I can’t find anyone to email or call.
SOGAW is amazing!
quick quesiton though, any way you download it onto iTunes? cos currently my laptop’s having none of it….
I was so excited to get this as a birthday present this week, so I pre-ordered! I’m still excited. But, I didn’t know the only way to get Songs would be through purchasing Dope Machines here on the release date. Is there any way to get it without purchasing a second album? Not that I don’t want to spread the joy that is you, but I’m kinda strapped for cash right now!
Wow. I am seriously disappointed that I can only buy Songs of God and Whiskey along with a CD of Dope Machines. Considering I pre-ordered Dope Machines (digitally), I don’t see the need or value of having it on CD as well.
That, plus the fact that you are sold out of the CDs means I have money waiting for you when you change your policy and allow me to buy Songs of Gods and Whiskey by itself. Not cool. Not cool at all.
Would absolutely love to give you the $7 for your second album but you haven’t made it very easy by attaching it to a Dope Machines purchase. That means it will cost a minimum of $24 to get the second album. Many of your loyal fans already preordered Dope Machines, as we were encouraged to do. This is very discouraging for your fans. You have asked us for “trust” and to “be cool” and “buy it for $7”. How about showing us trust and making the album available for what you are advertising instead of making us feel duped?
Hi,
I wanted to purchase Dope Machine and receive a digital download for Songs of God and Whiskey. Unfortunately the site says things are sold out. Any idea when more may be in stock so we can download SG&W?
Thanks!
Very excited, but I’ve already purchased Dope Machines via pre-order. Do I have to buy it AGAIN in order to also purchase Songs of…?
I’m super excited about all the new music, but I’m troubled about how to get the download. A lot of fans, including me, pre-ordered Dope Machines awhile ago. Do we have to buy a second copy of that in order to also purchase Songs of God & Whiskey? If so, that doesn’t seem quite fair.
How about out those of us that preordered DM weeks ago and would also like SoG&W but without buyingbDM again?
Pre-ordered Dope Machines from iTunes, how can I get the SOGAW album?
BTW am starting to like the new album already, even if it’s quite a departure from your previous works. Keep up!
Thank you so much! I’ve been listening to “Songs of God and Whiskey” all morning. Absolutely beautiful!
Waiting anxiously for my copies of Dope Machine to arrive so that I can lose myself in those songs, too.
I would LOVE to buy the “Songs of God and Whiskey” album, but having already pre-ordered and purchased “Dope Machines” on iTunes, must I now ALSO buy it on CD from you to get “God and Whiskey”? I see no other option. Thanks.
I already bought dope machine, how do I just buy songs of God and whiskey?
It looks like the site requires a purchase of Dope Machines to buy SOG&W, but I preordered Dope Machines months ago on iTunes. How can I buy just SOG&W since I already have bought Dope Machines?
Thanks, can’t wait to check out SOG&W!
If I pre-ordered Dope Machines (through Amazon), can I get a coupon code in which I can order the digital download of SoGaW for $7.00? Just an idea. Otherwise, I’m paying $18.00 for one album.
P.S. I’ll always pre-order through your website from now on.
I have already pre purchased dope machines on itunes and would like to buy songs of god and whiskey without having to buy dope machines again; is there any way of doing this, thanks
Really excited about the new album(s), but when I go to buy them it looks like the site is not secure (no https://…). I’ve tried on a bunch of browsers and they all report the connection is not secure, no certificate, etc. and not to share personal info.
Can you fix this so I can buy? Thanks!
Was excited to receive your email re Songs of God and Whiskey BUT! Can you only get it if you buy Dope Machines???
Could you please make Songs of God and Whiskey available to purchase separately, I pre-ordered Dope Machines on iTunes and it has been on my iPod since last Friday (I live in Dublin, Ireland). I love your acoustic music but ideally I don’t want to purchase an album twice. Would be really fantastic if you could do this as it has put your European fans at a bit of a disadvantage.
Looking forward to seeing you in Dublin in April for my 6th time.
Many thanks
Paul
So is there any way to (legally) grab “Songs of God and Whiskey” if we bought the new CD through other means? (My Amazon pre-order CD arrived TODAY) … Thanks.
Help. I already purchased Dope on amazon.com and it is being shipped. I couldn’t see that it was possible to purchase only the digital download of songs about God and Whiskey. The cart adds both for $18.99. Is there a work around? I’d hate to purchase Dope twice just to get songs about God and Whiskey. Thanks in advance for anything anyone might know.
I pre-purchase Dope Machines on Amazon in January – and am excited that it will be in the mail today when I get home! I was wondering if you are going to offer SGW stand alone for those that have already purchase Dope Machines. I will purchase the package if I have to, but I’m sure that isn’t what you intend.
Just want to let you know that I love you guys – I’m nearly 60 and I haven’t loved a band this much since the 70’s. My daughter got us tickets for your concert 3 or 4 years ago at the John Anson Ford Theater and I noticed one or two others in my age group. I was at the Greek last October and saw that a lot of my peers were finally turned on to you all! Thanks for the best music out there!
Ok, you guys push us to Itunes to pre-order, then announce this new record, but it can only be downloaded if you buy Dope Machines from your site? I have to buy the record twice? What is up with that. You guys are better than that.
This new website blows. No fan interaction. Moderating comments. I am sure only positive messages will post.
You all are awesome. This is fantastic news. However, I pre-ordered the album on iTunes (as I’ve done for all of your albums)… so does that mean I can’t get this album?! The email said I could buy it for $7… but it’s not on the website except as a bundle with the Dope Machines (which is like $12, and I’ve already laid out that much cash on iTunes for the album…). I’m pretty sure that you all don’t want to exclude some fans just because we ordered the album somewhere else WAY back before this was even offered. Any advice would be welcomed! Thanks!
Certainly not right that those of us that pre-ordered our copy of Dope Machines from several different options (Amazon, Newbury Comics, iTunes), at your behest, are then not given the opportunity to purchase (yes, willing to pay more money) Songs of God and Whiskey. Why are you abandoning your loyal fans and supporters in this way?
PLLLLLEASE tell me you will release more copies of this!!! I too pre-ordered Dope Machines on I tunes like a lot of fans. I would even buy it AGAIN to get the new record. Will it be available soon?????
Bought the autographed vinyl version of Dope Machines with the digital version of SOG&W. Used my iPad to download it and have been trying for the last two hours to make it work. Any suggestions? I’m chomping and the bit…..
If you ordered the album already via iTunes, is it possible to only Songs of God and Whiskey from the website?
I already pre-ordered the Dope Machines disc and received it in the mail today. Any chance of getting a copy of Songs of God and Whiskey without buying Dope Machines again?
I just received my Dope Machines and autographed cd book. It is awesome. I would like to get the Songs of God and Whiskey Album and don’t know how to get without reordering Dope Machines. Please let me know. (I know of at least 7 other fans that have the same problem). See you in March in Boston!
i bought this from my phone and wasn’t able to download it from it, is there anyway to get another download link?
I had already purchased Dope Machines as a pre-order on iTunes so now do I not have any option to get Songs of God and Whiskey unless I buy Dope Machines again? Ugh…
Any plans to release just Songs of God and Whiskey for purchase? I pre-ordered two copies of Dope Machines on Amazon ages ago (and received and fell in love with yesterday) so I don’t need a third but if it’s the only way to get this one then I’ll just bite the bullet.
Thank you!
I pre-ordered and purchased Dope Machines on amazon is there a way I can get Songs of God and Whiskey without repurchasing Dope Machines?
I love you guys and always complain to my friends and to Chicago Alt Rock Station that you are not played enough on the radio. I know every lyric to every song on the first album, and loved All At Once and Such Hot Blood. I’ve also seen you guys the last three times you’ve played in Chicago, including Lolla. That being said, myself and several other people I know agree that Dope Machines is a bit of a let down. It does not sound anything like your usual distinct style that so many people have come to love, with the exception of “Hell and Back” of course. Instead it sounds like a techno substitute that many bands such as Coldplay have been experimenting with. I saw “Wrong” performed live and was so excited to hear it on CD, then I did and was just dumbfounded by how entirely different it sounded. I understand that bands evolve especially since you have switched record labels, but you guys are way more amazing than this CD shows. Even the iTunes description of it is a joke. I write this not to criticize your work and effort, but just as some feedback from a loyal fan.
Loving SOGAW on youtube!! Great album! My Itunes copy of Dope Machine not as much, maybe it will grow on me.
How can I download Whiskey if I already bought Dope when you guys directed us to preorder in Itunes to access new song!!!
This is screwed up!!!
I’ll gladly pay full price for SOGAW. Lot of great songs. Would be great live show.
I preordered a CD weeks ago. So, is there any way for those dedicated fans like me to purchase these downloadable songs without getting another copy of Dope Machines? Would love to!
Is there any way to buy just “Songs of God and Whisky?” I purchased “Dope Machines” the day it came out on iTunes so I don’t want to spend another $18.99 getting something I already own in digital form… I didn’t see the post on this site until later that same day or I would have bought it through your site!
I love you guys so much. That’s why I have purchased every album you’ve made with my own money, including Dope Machines, which I bought digitally from Amazon as soon as I realized it was out.
A few days later, I checked your website and became ecstatic when I found out about Songs of God and Whiskey. Then I realized… I have no way to purchase the album unless I buy a physical copy of Dope Machines. But I don’t need another copy of Dope Machines. I’ve already listened to the one I have 10 times through. And I especially don’t need to pay a shipping charge on top of it.
I understand the business side of things, but I feel like I’m being punished for being an early adopter and checking your website just a few days too late.
Seriously, I’ve been to two (amazing) shows, read Mikel’s short story, bought and started reading “White Noise,” bought all 5 full-length albums… and honestly, Mikel, you’re one of my role models. TATE’s music is brilliant.
So PLEASE give me a way to buy and download Songs of God and Whiskey soon, because I can’t wait to hear it! Also, Florida would love it if you came back soon since the Coastline Festival was canceled 🙂
No hard feelings. Keep killing it, guys!
-Jared
Yeah….my Song of God and Whiskey didn’t download, not allowed any more attempts. Not only wasted money, but sad I won’t get to hear the songs until your Observatory show May 31st. Bummed/annoyed but still love you.
Seriously, no reply to all the requests from those who purchased via Amazon, iTunes, etc. and would like a way to get Songs of God and Whisky? Not even to say it’s not possible? Not very responsive, guys.
Sigh. Still awaiting moderation 48 hours later?
Hi – like so many others I’d like to know how we can order SOGW either by itself or with another copy of Dope Machines… let us know please, please, please!
Hello all. Somehow the newest release completely slipped by me. Life does that some times. Just wanted to let other fans know that Amazon, Google Play, and iTunes are all selling Songs of God and Whiskey now. I was a bit bummed out too since the CD was sold out on this website, but was glad to find a legitimate way to buy a copy.
I also wanted to say thanks to The Airborne Toxic Event. Your music has meant a lot to me over the years. I’m not sure when the digital album was made available. It looks like it came out sometime in April. Anyway I just wanted to leave a message, just in case anyone else is still looking for a way to buy Songs of God and Whiskey as well, since I hadn’t seen anyone else mention it.
If someone else has, then sorry for the redundant information.
Hey I’d love to buy this album but it doesn’t seem possible anywhere? I am in the UK and am a big fan but it’s kinda sad you don’t seem to care about making this album available legally!!
Hi,
Where can I buy a CD of “Songs of God and Whiskey”?
I don’t see it on your website anymore.