When we interviewed Stitched Up Heart singer Mixi for our new Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock issue (See page 57), we discussed several topics, including the band’s new single and video and her experiences as a high schooler.

Unfortunately, due to space constraints, we couldn’t include most of the interview. But that’s what the Internet is for! Read what she has to say below!

REVOLVER: First off, what’s new in Stitched Up Heart land?

We are shooting a music video for our new single, “Grave,” which will be out by the time the magazine is on the stands! I am gonna forward you the track so you can have a listen. We are touring around the US with our EP, Escape The Nightmare, which is sold only as hard copies at our shows. Slowly but surely, were putting together a full-length as we are still independent and self-funded. Gotta love the music industry!

Since this is also our “back to school” issue, some school-related questions: How would you describe your school experience?

In middle school I was a super-nerd! I even played the tuba for three years. I tried too hard to fit in back then, so everyone made fun of me. Once I got into high school, I decided to stop caring what people thought of me and just be ME. That’s when everything changed. To this day, I live by the motto, “You were born an original, don’t die a copy.”

What kind of student were you? A nerd or a troublemaker or somewhere in between?

I was the artsy kid. Was in AP art classes and took every creative class I could. As long as it involved paint, clay or performing arts, I was in! I was typically in a relationship the majority of high school, thanks to the curse of being a hopeless romantic.

What’s the worst trouble you got into while in school?

Me? In trouble? Never …

Did you ever skip school due to hard rock or metal?

I actually had pretty decent attendance! I didn’t have much of a choice when the softball coach was keeping track at all times! I probably only missed a few days out of the year. I know! Nerd alert!

Did you ever have any run-ins with bullies?

I’ve never been in a fight in my life. I kill them with kindness! All the kids that bullied me in middle school ended up being my friends in high school once I stopped giving a fuck about what people thought.

Did music help you get through school? If so, how?

Music helped me get through life. I’ve been through the ringer for this passion. It’s a tough industry. I just realized how impossible it is for me to survive without it. When I grow up, I wanna be a little old lady In a rocking chair on her front porch with an acoustic guitar singing to the neighbor kids to “Get off my lawn!”

Stitched Up Heart — led by frontwoman Mixi, who was featured in Revolver‘s 2011 Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock & Metal issue — are debuting the music video for their new single, “Grave,” right here right now. Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments.

If you like what you hear, you can pick up the song right now at this location. Also, be sure and check out Stitched Up Heart at Facebook and ReverbNation.

REVOLVER How did Stitched Up Heart form?
MIXI Los Angeles is a big city but a small town. We all knew kinda already knew each other, and when the idea formed October of 2010, all the members just fell into place. What started as some kids making some music ended up going further than what we had initially thought.

How would you describe your music?
It’s an explosive mix of Beetlejuice-infused rock trapped in a a screaming metal coffin.

What is your goal with the band?
To “Escape the Nightmare.” The nightmare being a 9-to-5 day job that we hate. Mainly, we just want to do what we love for a living.

Tell us about the band’s latest release.
We just released the EP Escape the Nightmare. The video for “Is This the Way You Get to Hell?” is out now, too!

Where did the name Mixi come from?
Everyone is born a blank canvas. You can paint your canvas with clothes, makeup, hair, tattoos. Just like a painting, I created who I am to this day, and it’s just a big “mix” of stuff!

Who are your biggest musical heroes and why?
I feel like maybe I lived another life because I seem to know all the words to songs from a different generation like Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and Ella Fitzgerald. I’ll catch myself singing words to songs I’ve never heard before.

What are your favorite hard-rock and metal albums and why?
I really liked Fever from Bullet for my Valentine, Sing the Sorrow, AFI, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, My Chemical Romance. These are just some of those albums that I couldn’t seem to stop listening to.

What is the sexiest hard-rock or metal song and why?
Not to get too graphic but that Toadies song “Possum Kingdom” has always gotten me hot!