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: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
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82.1% Same!
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17.9% Would have liked to try something different
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
East Auckland Christmas light displays 2025
Please help me find other light shows and updating this list!
Times when the lights turn on/off is helpful.
Last updated: 19 December 2025 18:47.
Google map with all of these houses pin pointed: maps.app.goo.gl...
Add a display: [Google forms] forms.gle... , or comment: [Location], [Lights on/off times], [Other features].
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CONFIRMED CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS 2025:
7 Northpark Ave, Northpark. 8pm to 10pm Mon-Thu, 8pm to 11pm Fri-Sun. Synchronized to music. Website with status/information: northparklights.remotefalcon.com... (my own light show).
6 Kookaburra Place, Botany Downs. 8:30pm to 10:30pm every night. Donations for Bellyful.
5 Ben Lomond Cres, East Gate Church Christmas Light show. 7Pm[?] to 11pm. Christmas walk-through running 18 – 23 December 7pm – 10pm.
18 Redcastle Drive, East Tāmaki. 9:15pm to 11pm. Synchronised to music. FB page: www.facebook.com...
13 Tui Vale Road Shelly Park. 6:30pm to Midnight. Santa visiting 23rd & 24th December.
9 Drysdale Place, Somerville 8.30 to 11pm.
10 Saidia Place, Huntington Park. 8:30pm to 10:00pm.
1 Woodview Rise, Botany. 8:30pm to 11pm.
57 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
1 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
51a Paparoa Road, Cockle Bay, 8pm to 10pm, 8th Dec to 24th Dec.
111 Bradbury Road, Botany Downs. 8:00pm to 10:30pm [Assuming last year's times].
9 Cyclades Place, Shelly Park. 8:00pm to 11:00pm [Assuming last year's times].
98 Angelo Ave, Howick. On all the time.
** John Brooke Crescent, East Tamaki Heights. Unknown number of houses & times.
** Trust Place, Sunnyhills. 8:30pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Fern Place Beachlands. 8:00pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Paerata Rise, Paerata. Unknown times. Multiple houses.
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NO LIGHTS THIS YEAR (Moved or other reasons):
44 Archmillen Ave, Pakuranga Heights.
9 Harford Place, Pakaranga Heights.
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FEEDBACK REQUIRED FOR 2025.
These were confirmed in 2024:
2 Edingale Court, Flat Bush. 8:30pm to 10:30pm.
56 Sorrel Cresent, Bucklands Beach. 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Trains/miniature displays in the garage Wednesday to Sunday.
6 Rothwell Place, Sunnyhills. 8:00pm to 10:00pm.
4 Greenbrooke Drive, Flatbush. 830pm to 11:00pm.
75 Hutchinsons Road, Bucklands Beach. 9:00pm and overnight.
6A Kentville Place, Somerville. 8:00pm to 12:00am.
27 Amberwood Drive, Northpark. 7:00pm to 12:00am.
136 Kilkenny Drive, East Tamaki Heights. 8:00pm to 12:00am.
86 Sandspit Road, Shelly Park. Unknown times.
81 Tiraumea Drive, Unknown times.
29 Meadowlands Drive, Sommerville. Unknown times.
** Headcorn Place, Botany. 7:30pm to 11:00pm. Multiple houses.
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SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVENTS 2025:
<none added so far>
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Please help find more houses and update this list!
Comment on this post.
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