Songwriter David Johnston has come a long way from mixing tracks in the music rooms after hours at Sir Roger Manwood’s School.

The 27-year-old, who now goes by the name of David Keiffer, is one half of alternative pop duo Life of Dillon with Joe Femi, 26.

Having landed a record deal in New York with Disruptor/Epic Records – a joint venture of Sony Music – and signed to publishing label Selector Songs/Sony ATV Publishing, the last year has seen him work with the likes of Leona Lewis, tour with Meghan Trainor and appear on James Cordon’s The Late Late Show.

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But despite his rise to fame across the Pond, David says he’ll never be too big for his home town and is keen to share his music with the people of Deal – the place where he grew up and where his parents, Jo and Brian Johnston, still reside.

Talking of his success, he said: “It happened in what felt like a flash.”

David is the youngest of four children by 23 minutes to his twin brother, Andrew. He attended Deal Parochial and later Sir Roger Manwood’s, where he was head boy.

It was at the Sandwich school that he met Joe, who was a sixth-form boarder. Born in Brazil to a Nigerian mother and English father, Joe had resided in all three countries by the time he attended Manwood’s. They both left in 2008.

David said: “Right from the jump we gravitated towards each other because of our shared passion for music.

“Joe was an amazing singer and I played guitar, so we were jamming after school in the music rooms or lunch breaks, and writing songs.

“Neither of us studied music but the school’s music facilities were great and I would use the school’s guitars. We would use the music rooms long after school hours.”

The firm friends then continued with their education.

David went on to Brunel University, where he obtained a first class degree in Industrial Design Technology.

But recording with his set-up in his student bedroom was a regular occurrence.

He said: “Music for me was always a hobby.

“I did it to escape the rat race, but as my university years went on and I realised you could make money from making music my career choice took a slight turn.

“I still studied extremely hard as I wanted to leave with good grades, but I worked just as hard on my music, making song after song, pitching to labels, publishers, bands, failing many, many times.

“It was those knocks that made me want it even more, to get better and better.”

The duo stayed together, and as time went on they collaborated with Joe’s oldest brother, L Marshall, who topped the UK charts with the track Traktor – a collaboration with Wretch 32.

The line-up changed with Joe’s middle brother, Robert, joining Life of Dillon until late 2015, when he decided to pursue a career as a producer.

But the biggest change was when they uprooted to Los Angeles in 2016.

David said: “When you travel almost 6,000 miles to achieve something, you’re definitely in a different headspace. We’re not from here. We came here for a purpose: to make music. We didn’t have time to waste.”

The change of scenery gave them the opportunity to develop their sound.

Sharing an apartment in the City of Angels, the two-piece spent the next year tirelessly writing new music, exploring the landscape, and hitting the gym as much as possible – in an effort to live up to the workout routine of their namesake – Carl Weathers’ character in Arnold Schwarzenegger film Predator, Dillon.

They emerged from the creative flurry with both new music and perspective.

David said: “Production-wise, we tried to create something that wasn’t so electronic or processed.

“The chemistry evolved and grew, and that’s what made the sound.

“It’s not just one person. It’s the two of us putting our influences together to create something new for the world.”

Joe said: “Where our identities cross is the fact we both aim to inspire people to make the most of their lives.

“We want to get that across in our music. I’ve had experiences in the past few years of losing many people close to me, and I recognise life is short. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Enjoy today.”

It was three years after graduating that the record deal came knocking.

By summer 2015, the boys released their debut EP, Prologue, joined Meghan Trainor and Charlie Puth on a sold-out North American tour, made their late-night television debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden, and notched a bona fide hit in the form of Overload, which racked up 40 million-plus cumulative Spotify streams in less than a year.

Along the way, they garnered acclaim from the likes of Teen Vogue, Idolator and Radio.com.

David said: “It just shows if you work hard enough you really can achieve whatever you desire.”

He added: “Since touring and living in America we’ve met many great artists, including Leona, who we met in Minnesota at a radio show. We played just before her.

“We didn’t want to leave without saying hello, so Joe waltzed into her dressing room unannounced and we introduced ourselves.

“After that we met up in London to work on some music, and since then we often see each other out in LA. Us Brits like to stick together!”

This year Life of Dillon are releasing a series of singles and videos on a monthly basis, which David hopes is the perfect chance for new listeners to pick up on their music.

Their latest sound is Focus – a feature with Joe’s older brother, L Marshall.

David said: “Focus touches on a few personal experiences, including the loss of Joe and L Marshall’s mother last year.

“It’s about how life can throw you curve balls and how you overcome them, really taking life by the horns and doing what you love, no excuses.”

Joe added: “And all the support you once had is gone in your pursuit for success and the exploration of your art.

“This is a message to ourselves to remember our purpose and not get lost in the machine. This one is for Mumsi.”

Now, they’d like Life of Dillon’s songs and spirit to spark inspiration with their listeners.

David said: “If I could do one thing, it’d be to make many people who hate their day jobs quit.

“I’d love for people to walk away inspired to make that big change.”

And when he gets the chance, he will return to town life for a catch up with loved ones.

He said: “I like to come back to Deal as often as I can as I love to escape the madness of the city life and see my family and friends.

“I have the best memories of growing up in Deal, playing music in my friend’s garage, skating down at the skate park and on the seafront for many summers. I have to say I do miss the town life.”