Colchester: James Gillingham of Congratulations on record deal

James Gillingham, 28, from Colchester, first fell in love with the drums at the age of eight.

His father took him for drum lessons, and by the age of 16 he had started playing in a band.

After leaving Stanway School in 2012, James went to the Colchester Institute to study a level three extended diploma in popular music.

Performer - James performing at a Congratulations gig at the Green Door Store in Brighton (Image: LUKE BATEMAN LBPHOTO)

From 2014 to 2017, he went to the Brighton Institute of Music and earned a BA Honours in professional musicianship.

As well as working jobs to pay the bills, James gave drum lessons and performed with many different bands and projects.

His latest project is exciting rock band Congratulations, which started in 2021 as a three-piece, with James on drums, guitarist Jamie Chellar and bassist Greg Burns.

Vocalist Leah Stanhope joined a short while later, and the stars are now finally aligning for the group.

Congratulations - band members Jamie Chellar, Leah Stanhope, James Gilligham and Greg Burns (Image: Bridie Cummings)

Performers - the band in their signature outfits they wear on stage (Image: Bridie Cummings)

Congratulations have now signed a record deal with independent label Bella Union, and will be able to use £13,000 to grow the band.

Twelve years into his career as a musician, James says it has always been a dream to secure a record deal.

He said: “As a musician you are constantly thinking about the next thing, you don’t think about the present.

“I really did reflect on this deal. I remember being at university and seeing bands being signed, thinking that was a world away and maybe I missed the boat.

“It is really amazing to have people believe in your music, to be part of something that started out as some fun and going crazy on stage.

"To know people believe in it, feels the best.

Celebrating - the band with Bella Union record label owner Simon Raymonde (Image: Public)

Live - the band performing at Mitäs Mitäs Mitäs festival in Finland (Image: Jonishiva)

“It is so mental, it is really cool.”

The band’s record deal comes after the last few years of proving themselves and touring as much as they can.

For James, his career highlights so far have been graduating with a first at university, doing his first tour at the age of 20 with a band called Oceans, and forming Congratulations with his “best mates”.

Another highlight has been playing to 500 people at the Mitäs Mitäs Mitäs Festival in Finland, where James and Jamie ended up crowdsurfing.

James says the record deal is “invaluable” because it will not only open up the band’s world to more industry connections, but the money will be used to buy a van for touring.

James has promised there will be more music and live shows in the future.

To keep up to date with Congratulations, go to instagram.com/congratulationstheband.