Howick lad recording in LA, story on East FM, Saturday from midday
NZ EXCLUSIVE: Justin Deveraux is an adventurous Kiwi working in the Los Angeles film industry, and releasing his music to the world for the first time – recording with big-name session musicians and producer, and we’re excited to be the first radio station in Aotearoa to play his tracks and talk with him live on tomorrow’s She’ll Be Right on Saturday’s Show with PJ Taylor, EARLIER time of midday to 4pm (NZ time, September 2) on East FM.
We’ll be chatting with Justin Deveraux at 1pm / 6pm in California, where he’ll be, to hear his journey to the release of his new single, Cotton Wool, out September 1. Then, for the first time on New Zealand radio, we’ll play Cotton Wool.
Recorded at Studio City Sound in LA by Grammy Award-winning producer Tom Weir, Cotton Wool was played by highly-credentialed – keyboardist Jeff Babko (Jimmy Kimmel Live), drummer Gregg Bissonette (Ringo Starr, David Lee Roth), guitarist Laurence Juber (Sir Paul McCartney’s Wings, Cleo Laine, Charles Aznavour), bassist Lance Morrison (Alanis Morissette), Luanne Homzy on violin, and even a tap-dancing percussionist Stevie Lekaszewski.
Justin Deveraux is from Howick, Auckland, and moved from NZ to California with his family over the past year, to, as he says, “follow dreams”. There are more singles coming soon and an album due for release in the new year.
I know Justin because he was an enthusiastic AUT journalist intern at East Auckland’s Times Media and Newspapers in 2012, when I was editor. He later moved into producing advertising content and working on film productions such as The Meg (2016), Ash vs Evil Dead, and Amazon Prime’s record-breaking budget and Emmy-award winning, Lord of the Rings (The Ring of Power, 2022).
The Covid era gave him time to “reassess and regret missed opportunities”, choosing to “jump-in and chase down” his goal of being a singer-songwriter. “What started off as a box to tick-off suddenly started to sound good,” says Deveraux.
“Cotton Wool is a song about a child losing their innocence and the struggles associated with knowing too much. When you’re young and innocent, hopefully you get a chance to grow up in a safe and ‘Disney-like world’.
“But when you grow up and lose your innocence, you can’t return to that bubble, even though you wish you could.
“The chorus lyric comes from the term ‘wrapping someone in cotton wool’, referring to that protection layer parents often create for their children, and by softening the blow with cotton wool.
“Cotton wool is a plea to return to your parents’ arms even as they grow old,” says Deveraux.
As well as putting the spotlight on Justin Deveraux, it’ll be a regular early-arvo She’ll Be Right set – concert news and tour of a few musical neighbourhoods.
East FM is East Auckland’s fair-dinkum community-powered public service radio station, on 88.1FM and 107.1FM on local frequencies, nationally and globally at www.eastfm.nz... and on app iHeart Radio.
She’ll Be Right - it’s all about the vibe; it’s all about the groove. And this Saturday we celebrate an exciting time for a Howick lad abroad – Justin Deveraux. – PJ
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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53.9% Human-centred experience and communication
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14.3% Critical thinking
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29.2% Resilience and adaptability
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2.6% Other - I will share below!
Poll: Should complete designs be shared with the public, or should the community help shape the designs from the start?
The Post recently shared an opinion piece on the Harbour Crossing and why a more democratic approach might be needed 🚗🚲👟
While most decisions sit within the political arena, many organisations—like NZTA—manage long-term projects that go beyond party lines. Politics can sometimes disrupt progress, and the next Harbour Crossing is a big decision that will affect all Aucklanders.
We’d love your thoughts: Should near-complete, shovel-ready designs be shared with the public, or should the community have a hand in shaping the designs from the start?
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81% Community feedback and transparency is needed.
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19% No. This would be impossible in practice.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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