‘Black Rain’ – A contemporary musical/art collaboration between DH Lawrence & The Vaudeville Show and Eugenie Lee Pain is a topic that has touched everyone at some time in their life. Each individual’s experience of pain is unique. Yet many have tried to express pain in words and medics have even tried to express pain by numbers. Some argue that both physical pain and psychological pain, hurt and suffering can only be truly expressed through art. ‘Black Rain’ is a video/audio collaboration between dark folk troubadours DH Lawrence & the Vaudeville Skiffle Show and visual artist Eugenie Lee. Eugenie Lee is a Korean born (Australian domiciled) visual artist whose works focus on the human body and mind, and in particular chronic pain. Drawing from the complex relationships between the biological, psychological, and social factors of illness, Lee’s presents her narratives through paintings, sculptures, and installations and juxtaposes beauty and suffering exquisitely. DH Lawrence & The Vaudeville Skiffle Show hail from the dark valleys of Lawrence’s Nottinghamshire, and draw their influences from the local folklore. They write story songs that ‘will make you laugh dance and cry’ (Rocking Magpie). Blending folksy home grown Americana with a touch of Skiffle, their debut full length CD Sons & Lovers has been described as ‘an unlikely blend of attitude and Americana’ (No Depression). Struck by the exquisite beauty of Lee’s art and the futility of attempting to describe pain through words or numbers alone, they set about writing a soundtrack that would strike at the heart of pain through music words and art … The video ‘Black Rain’ is the outcome of that collaboration, combining Lee’s art installations, sculpture and film with Skiffle Show’s musical composition and narrative. You’d be unwise to expect an easy listening experience, as cello, fiddle and saw, collide with electric guitar, banjo and pulsing bass… whilst the words strike quite literally, at your heartstrings. Much like pain … ‘Black Rain’ is an experience that is perhaps best felt, internalised and combined with your own unique kaleidoscope of reality. PLAY IT LOUD!