Nischay Parekh Is Now Only Interested In Joy
Dubai-based musician and multi-instrumentalist Nischay Parekh, recognised for his role as one half of the renowned dream-pop duo Parekh & Singh, has unveiled his second solo track, Non-Believers, using the name TV Dinner
Following the announcement of Parekh & Singh's disbandment in February 2025 to pursue new endeavours, Nischay Parekh embarked on his solo venture, TV Dinner, debuting with his first single, Guessing Games, a reflective and intricate acoustic guitar piece.
As Nischay Parekh continues to expand his catalogue as TV Dinner, he has released Non-Believers which has been in works since the past 9 years. This is a song that explores the bittersweet complexities of love and was written during times of sorrow and the pandemic. It was only after significant life changes – his marriage and fatherhood – that Parekh reach its completion.
If you listen to the track, you’ll notice the layered drum rhythms and deep bass elements enveloping the song. Parekh's hallmark guitar style and soft vocal tones create an enchanting mix of indie pop and acoustic rock. With a visual featuring vibrant and striking colour schemes—the location may very well be one of the animated residential structures seen in the ‘Guessing Games’ music video.
Esquire India speaks to the pop singer on the business of music, blurring lines between performance and presentation and the designers and labels he’s drawn to.
When you’re writing a song, what usually anchors the process for you—is it structure, sound, or subject?
Over the years I have found all three to be to be good entry points into a song. It’s taken exploration and practice, but I believe a good songwriter has many magic doors into the world of a song. One must grab inspiration and embrace it rather than await its arrival...and that takes some courage and confidence.
How do you approach collaboration now? Has your method changed?
My approach to collaboration now is very fluid and free of any rigidity or pre-conceived notions. I pride myself in being a collaborative human and not just an artist or a musician. I believe that is essential to facilitate true communal work.
Empathy, acceptance and leaving your ego at the door are the ingredients. P&S [Parekh & Singh] had a more structured and almost less collaborative style mainly because we built songs in blocks, i.e. I’d record my music and then Jivraj would record over that. Presently, I am actively trying to create with other musicians whenever I can and working with them through every stage of the process... Allowing it to be messy and unstructured—but that’s where true joy lies.
What kind of visual identity are you building with TV Dinner?
TV Dinner is an evolving and elastic project. I want the visuals to support the various phases that the music will travel through. I am always conscious of fashion and design in my decisions and love combining that world with my music. I’ll probably repurpose the Parekh & Singh suits and alter them in some quirky ways, perhaps in a punk-rock manner!
What does your day-to-day routine look?
As a new father to a 20-month-old boy who has boundless energy, routine is not something one plans. I just try to maximise every pocket of free time I get. The focus just comes as soon I can switch on my artist brain. I think the act of balancing a domestic and creative life has been extremely healthy for me. I value time more and want to spend it meaningfully.
How do you separate the act of making music from the business of releasing and promoting it, especially in today’s digital-heavy landscape?
Honestly, it has taken a great degree of compartmentalisation and role playing. You must be open to being two people as an independent artist – the dreamer, and the person whose job it is to publish and promote those poetic dreams.
They are two separate entities and come alive at different points in the timeline of a project. I have slowly but surely been able to implement this duality into my work simply though practice and repetition. One also must truly honour and respect both sides of the coin, it makes the whole thing more enjoyable.
Do you think about performance and presentation—on stage or in public — as an extension of your art?
This is something I’m still working on… the lines are blurred. It’s also a big pressure to try and be ‘styled’ all the time, because my work is always facing an audience. I want to work on the baseline presentation more and build a language that has many levels within my visual style. This way both style and presentation become effortless and specific to me.
How do you choose what to show and what to hold back — in your lyrics, in your image, and in interviews like this one?
I have always loved talking about my thoughts and feelings. So, I love interviews. I feel the truth is usually interesting... I used to be more interested in weaving a story or sounding mysterious. I don’t want to be that person anymore, guarding my spirit or tempering my opinions do not bring me joy. I am only in interested in joy now.
Has your style changed alongside your music?
I’m becoming a big fan of buttoned-down checked shirts, denims, cardigans and white sneakers. I guess it’s ‘dad’ clothing mainly from the 80s and early 90s. I’ve also begun buying a lot of pieces from thrift stores. I enjoy things that are out of fashion.
Do you see fashion as a form of creative expression, or more as a uniform?
For me now, it’s just about creative expression. I think it used to be a uniform with the suits in P&S, and a uniform in many ways is the end of a discussion. It’s final and static, there’s no more room for evolution. Fashion is more than that, even if it’s simple it needs to be intentional and curated for the moment.
Are there any designers or labels that you’ve found yourself drawn to recently?
I think I’m a little bit obsessed with how Jerry dressed in the show Seinfeld. Usually, I turn to jeans and white sneakers with almost anything on top – shirt and tie or even an oversized sweater.
In terms of designers, I have always been a fan of Gucci and Burberry, the latter because I love checks and Gucci just seems to be timeless in how they re-invent style every year. From India I have been enjoying the work of Doodlage, Itoh and Raw Mango... United Colors of Benetton and Muji will also always be amongst my favourites.