Today we’d like to introduce you to Bitchbopz | Ashley Koehler
BitchBopz | Ashley , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, I saw how music—something that felt so personal and freeing—could also be a space where femininity wasn’t always welcomed or respected. If you liked the “right” kind of music—the kind men respected—you were taken seriously. But if you loved something more feminine, it was dismissed as shallow or unimportant. That contrast always stuck with me.
Music was a huge part of my life from the start. My dad played in a local hair metal band, so I grew up on Metallica, AC/DC, and Van Halen (my first concert was KISS when I was 5!). At the same time, I spent hours in the dance studio, inspired by Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, and any pop star who could command a stage with movement and presence. I loved both worlds, but I quickly realized that one was treated with more respect than the other.
That feeling of being looked down on for loving “feminine” music only made me more passionate about it. I’ve always been drawn to music that expresses deep emotions with clarity—songs that feel like they’re speaking directly to me. Over time, I realized I wasn’t the only one who felt this way, and I was tired of making myself smaller so that people could feel better about their opinions. I knew I wanted to create a space where femmes could celebrate music without judgment, and I also wanted it to feel like a community where we can genuinely build friendships and artist networks.
At first, I really had no idea what I should be posting or what people were interested in talking about. I started by sharing statistics about women in music, and soon, people from Memphis and beyond wanted to get involved in spotlighting overlooked artists and artists that deserve well-overdue praise. As the community grew, we realized that one of the best parts about BitchBopz has been meeting people in the community at events and shows. That’s when we realized it had the potential to be something real and tangible. We recently hosted our first in-person event, a Grammy Watch Party at Dru’s Bar, and the best part wasn’t just the event itself—it was seeing people connect over their shared love for music in a space made for them.
Music has always been my way of making sense of the world, and now, it’s also my way of building something bigger than myself. What once made me feel small is now what fuels me, and knowing that even one person feels seen because of this community makes it all worth it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In the beginning, one of the hardest things was putting myself out there in such a personal and authentic way. Music has always meant so much to me, and there’s a certain vulnerability in sharing something you love deeply—especially when you’ve been criticized for it in the past. There’s always that fear of being judged—of looking “cringe,” of trying and failing, or of people just not getting it. But having friends who believed in me and my mission from the start made all the difference.
Another big challenge has been balancing my time. Passion is one thing, but staying consistent and showing up—not just for myself, but for the community—takes real effort. When you’re building something on your own, without anyone holding you accountable, it’s easy to let things slide. On top of that, I’m a huge introvert, and in the beginning, introducing myself as “the girl who does BitchBopz” when no one knew who I was felt intimidating, scary, and honestly a little ridiculous. But I knew that if BitchBopz was going to grow, I had to commit to it fully. I also had to commit to being a part of the community fully, which meant leaving my house and showing up to things alone or at times I would normally be asleep. Over time, it got so much easier, and now I even get excited thinking about who I might run into at shows and events!
The consistency of showing up—whether at events, online, or just putting in the work behind the scenes—has never been easy. Life happens, motivation fluctuates, and some days are harder than others. But what keeps me going is the people who believe in this space, who want to be a part of it, and who make BitchBopz feel like more than just an idea.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What do we do?
We create safe spaces—both online and in real life—for femininity to express itself through music in a supported community and environment. Basically, we do what men have always done for themselves, but for us. 🙂
What do we specialize in?
Spotlighting diverse artists and local music that are often overlooked by bigger venues and industry supporters in Memphis. There’s so much musical diversity here, yet so much of it gets overshadowed by mainstream names and genres. We also specialize in helping artists who don’t have the time or skill set to promote themselves—whether it’s designing a graphic, conducting an interview, or simply getting the word out about their shows. Our goal is for artists to feel seen and to know they are just as worthy of a platform and success as anyone else.
What are we known for?
Being unapologetically vocal about our values and deeply invested in the safety and inclusivity of our community. We’re also known for being silly in real life, and—personally—I hope we’re known for our cute graphics, hehe.
What are we most proud of?
The support this community has shown each other. Seeing people connect and become an active part of this music scene has been so beautiful. Whether it’s through likes, comments, or actually showing up to events, it’s incredible to see how much people genuinely care. And honestly, we’re proud that when we go out, people know who we are and actually want our company. That means the world. People recognize what bitchbopz is about and know that we do this because we care. And beyond all of that, we’ve built some of the best friendships and relationships through this, which is something I’ll always be grateful for.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I think the hardest part of finding a mentor or networking is getting past that first hurdle of “Am I worthy of being in this space? Am I someone worth investing in?” But once you commit to showing up for yourself, pay attention to the people who get excited for you—those are the connections that truly matter.
For me, the most effective approach has been simply talking to people—asking for help, putting myself out there, and saying, “Hey, do you know anyone skilled in this area?” More often than not, I’m immediately pointed in the right direction. There are so many people who have been rooting for BitchBopz along the way, sending messages of support, offering to help, and just showing up in ways I never expected. It’s been incredible. It’s also opened my eyes to just how many creatives, communities, and groups—both in Memphis and online—are doing deeply important work that I wouldn’t have even known about if I hadn’t taken the first step to connect. I’m constantly meeting new people, networking with creative groups, and learning from community leaders, and seeing their passion pushes me to keep going too.
My biggest piece of advice? Just go for it!! Seriously, don’t be afraid of looking stupid—especially on social media. Reach out to people who intimidate you a little. Some of the most valuable collaborations I’ve had started with me feeling nervous to message someone I admired, and when they said yes? Best feeling ever. You learn so much just by surrounding yourself with people who inspire you and who have experience to share. Once you push past that initial fear, you realize how many people want to connect, collaborate, and support each other. And honestly? Even the smartest, most experienced, most put-together person started somewhere. Be confident in where you’re at, take it one step at a time, and use the tools you have.
I also make it a priority to go to community events as often as possible and just be out in the world. I’ve met some of the most incredible people just by showing up to things I was genuinely interested in. And beyond that, I love reaching out to people who inspire me, leaving comments, and just being genuinely kind. Some of the best friendships and connections I’ve made weren’t even ones I was actively seeking—they happened naturally. And honestly, that’s always how the best partnerships start.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bitchbopz/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bitchbopz
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bxtchbopz
- Other: https://groover.co/en/influencer/profile/0.bitchbopz-amplifying-voices-in-music/
