Rotorua singer on a hell of a ride to stardom

Devilskin, fronted by Rotorua's Jennie Skulander, will perform in Hollywood and London. Photo / File

From Rotorua to Hollywood, rock chick Jennie Skulander is soaring to new heights.

The Rotorua singer and her rock band Devilskin have announced they're about to take the international stage, performing in Los Angeles and London in April.

The former Rotorua Lakes High School student has amassed fans across the globe, with two sellout New Zealand tours and a chart topping album, We Rise, behind her.

Now she's decided it's time to take the plunge into the international market, performing at The Borderline in London, before heading to Hollywood to perform at a conference and taking to the stage at the famous Whisky a Go Go club.

Skulander said she was thrilled about fulfilling her dream to tour the world with her music. "It's pretty surreal. I've dreamed about performing overseas, so now that it's actually happening, it's pretty amazing," she said. "I know it sounds cheesy, but I guess it just shows that if you work hard and just keep keeping on, your dreams can become a reality."

Skulander said she hoped her performances overseas would help build the band's fanbase.

"We have quite a few fans in London and over in the States, so it'll be awesome performing for them. Hopefully we get a good response."

Skulander said she never thought she would be where she was today.

"I think back to when I was in high school and touring the world for music seemed like an outlandish kind of dream."

Skulander's London performance would be extra exciting as it coincided with her 30th birthday, she said.

She'll be performing in London on April 15, with the following day marking the milestone. "I think we'll have to go out and celebrate. London would be the best place to spend a birthday."

In the meantime, Skulander's schedule is full to the brim, with the band opening for rock legend Slash, the former lead guitarist of rock band Guns N' Roses.

Devilskin will perform at Hamilton's Claudelands Arena and Wellington's TSB Bank Arena next week before the rock star takes the stage.

The band will perform at the Homegrown musical festival at Wellington's waterfront next month.