The work of Theo Alexander defies tradition. The London-based self-taught composer delves into what he terms »insurmountable contradictions.« This exploration has led him to experiment with blending tape-recorded sounds and live performances, a hallmark of his evocative approach. 

Born from an urgent desire to create radical juxtapositions in music, »So Afraid to Show I Care« sees Theo & Qow assume the role of gleaners and foragers, collecting fragments from more than a year of collaboration to produce a palimpsest of sonic layers. Their 40 minute micro-epic is built on an ethic of bricolage, covering tape-recorded ambience, voice note instrumentals, and growling double basses, all of which play out in a narrative of musical scenes. As unabashedly experimental as it is emotional, the performance's diverse landscape features Egyptian spoken word artist otteswed and improvisation veteran Klara Pudlakova. Having previously premiered at Meetfactory in Prague and Paf festival in Olomouc, this performance of the work brings together all participants as a four-piece for the first time. 

Theo Alexander (London, UK) and Qow (Cairo, Egypt) began working together in the summer of 2024, and have previously been featured in NPR and the Wire, and supported by Shape+, Britten-Pears Arts, and others. The title is taken from their upcoming album of the same name, slated for release in 2025.