Lee Coffey, known as “The Captain”, is a veteran UK house DJ, former Blackmarket Records buyer and the host of House by the Sea on House FM, broadcast from just outside Newquay in Cornwall. He also runs the Househead London label and events brand, launched in 2022, with releases from Prefix One, DJ Pope, Lifford and Wez Whynt.
Lee Coffey at a glance
- Nickname: The Captain
- Radio show: House by the Sea on House FM, a regular on the station for over 20 years
- Based: just outside Newquay, Cornwall
- Record shop roots: Bluebird Records, then 12 years at Blackmarket Records in Soho
- Label: Househead London (2022)
- Music: soul, funk, rare groove, soulful house and disco
From Bluebird to Blackmarket
Lee Coffey has been chasing beats since the early days of house music. He started out at Bluebird Records, a popular import record shop, and was soon playing clubs such as Desire, Elevation and Moondance. His big break came when he joined Blackmarket Records in Soho, where he spent 12 years supplying records to DJs around the world and contributing to many house labels.
Blackmarket Records: a Soho institution
Blackmarket grew out of the Black Market club night, which launched at the Wag Club in 1984 and played a key role in London’s rare groove scene. The Soho record shop opened in 1988 and became one of the most important places in the world to buy house, garage and dance music on vinyl. Later renamed BM Soho, the shop closed in February 2015. For a generation of DJs, the staff behind the counter, Lee among them, were the tastemakers who decided what got played in clubs.
Residencies around the world
Lee Coffey has held DJ residencies in Russia, India, Ibiza and London, but always returned to his Blackmarket home in Soho. Those years of playing to very different crowds shaped a style that moves easily between soulful house, disco and deeper grooves.
House by the Sea on House FM
Lee Coffey has been a regular DJ on House FM, the online soulful house station, for more than 20 years. His show House by the Sea is broadcast from just outside Newquay, and its eclectic selection spans:
- Soul and funk
- Rare groove
- Soulful and deep house
- Disco classics and new edits
House FM is also home to shows from some of the scene’s biggest names, including Bobby & Steve‘s Groove Odyssey Sessions.
Househead London
As label and events boss of Househead London, Lee Coffey has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2022, releasing music from Prefix One, DJ Pope, Lifford and Wez Whynt. Find the label’s releases on Traxsource.
Frequently asked questions about Lee Coffey
Who is Lee Coffey?
A veteran UK house DJ known as The Captain, former Blackmarket Records buyer and host of House by the Sea on House FM.
Where is House by the Sea broadcast from?
From just outside Newquay in Cornwall.
What is Househead London?
The house music label and events brand Lee runs, launched in 2022.
What was Blackmarket Records?
A famous Soho record shop, opened in 1988, that supplied house and dance music to DJs worldwide. It closed as BM Soho in 2015.
Sources: Black Market history and Mixmag.
Keep listening
Steve Bell plays soulful, deep and vocal house across the UK, Ibiza and beyond. Catch his monthly DancersHip show and live sets, or see the media pack to book Steve for your event.
