Lotus Media, Sony Ericsson and RTÉ are proud to announce the launch of The Raw Sessions with Sony Ericsson, a brand new eight-part interactive music series on television which will see eight talented Irish music acts write, record and mix an original song in front of the cameras in 12 hours or less.   Viewers can vote for their favourite song and by downloading it can help the artists of the week into the Irish charts.

The Raw Sessions with Sony Ericsson, which will be presented by recording artist, actor and producer Dez Ryan and produced by Lotus Media, will be broadcast on RTÉ Two every Tuesday at 11.55pm from 12 May.  Independent artists including Majella Murphy, Rarely Seen Above Ground (RSAG), Sickboy, Noise Control, Dirty Epics, Hoarsebox, Infomatics and Sweet Jane will take part in the series with the goal of becoming "Sony Ericsson Artist of the Year".

The Raw Sessions concept was conceived and developed by Dez Ryan and producer/artist Chris Gubisch and their band 'Surplus' in a garage studio in LA.   The original concept was developed for broadcast TV with Lotus Media. The innovative programme represents a first for Ireland by creating an original music series format while being the first television programme to produce and bring two original songs to life on air each week, which are then offered to audiences for download following the show via www.therawsessions.ie

Week 1 - Sweet Jane & RSAG

Week 2 - Dirty Epics & Sickboy

Week 3 - Infomatics & Noise Control

Week 4 - Majella Murphy & Hoarsebox

Week 5 - Celebrity recording of "Trouble With A Capital T'

Week 6 - Week 1 & Week 2 Artist Records at Grouse Lodge

Week 7 - Week 3 & Week 4 Artist Records at Grouse Lodge

Week 8 - The Raw Sessions Live Final Event

Each week The Raw Sessions viewers get the chance to vote for their favourite artist and original song that has been created in front of the cameras.  The bands receiving the most votes move to the next round and a chance to record another new song at the exclusive Grouse Lodge recording studio in Westmeath.  Voters will receive a code on their mobile phone and which enables them to download their song for free from The Raw Sessions website www.therawsessions.ie

All downloads count towards the Irish charts so it is important that viewers download the free song in order to help their favourite band into the charts!!  The top three artists who record new songs in Grouse Lodge will perform at a live event where one of them will be named "Sony Ericsson Artist of The Year".