However, Malone's solo work dates farther back than his contributions to either of those groups: he began recording and performing on his own when he moved to New York City in 2000, originally working under the name "Black Lights". After being alerted by a Texas band using the same name, he switched to the Rain Machine moniker. Malone signed to Anti- Records in summer 2009; the label released Rain Machine's self-titled debut, which incorporated jazz and bluegrass elements into funky, driving rock, that fall. ~ Heather Phares