360: Doing a 180

Matthew Colwell, known to most as 360, or simply “Six” to those closest to him, has the soul of a poet. Deep, insightful, reflective and articulate. The man behind the mic and the face tattoos is sincere and disarmingly self-aware. He’s the kind of person you feel like you’ve known forever after just one chat. That familiarity is the reason his music resonates; he invites you into his darkest moments. With that honesty comes vulnerability, something he admits has taken decades to fully understand.

His raw, autobiographical approach to music is as expressive as it is impressive. But, as he explains, it’s been a bumpy ride.

“Who I was as an artist was a total juxtaposition to who I was as a person. I never told anyone anything about myself, not even my closest friends. I kept up a façade that everything was okay. It was through my music that they realised that I wasn’t.”

Six talks openly about his struggles with mental illness, addiction and loss of self.  

“I was in a fog of drugs and partying, usually performing mid-bender. I began needing it to deal with the nerves. Going on stage without it was terrifying. I was worried this tour would be a total flop. I prepare now with prayer and breath work and I’ve never felt more comfortable. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt so sure of my actions.”

Hindsight, maturity and spiritual grounding have made more sense of his jaded past.

“I was a moron back then. Driven by constant need for validation, I completely lost myself. Fame is strange, it feels kind of empty, like your existence depends on what other people think. You’re celebrated one moment and forgotten the next.”

Being a role model to a young audience in a world chastised for corruption is a big pressure on a young artist, particularly one fighting their own personal demons.

“Honestly, I was winging it. I didn’t know what it meant to be a good person. Who you are morphs with the culture and expectations, which is a moving target. Only now am I ready to be seen as a role model.”

He has found solid footing from perspective in faith.

“I tried everything: rehab, therapy, I became obsessive with the gym and diet, I started reading self help books, I was using these as coping mechanisms but they weren't working”.

“I’d written religion off as a bad idea. Honestly, I feel like it is misrepresented by a forceful presence.
A bit like walking into a gym full of intimidating, muscly guys and feeling like the inadequate, skinny one.”

“I’d like to see the stigma and inaccessibility removed. I used to be judgemental about religion too, but my journey to faith has helped me more than I could have predicted.”

Six talks fondly about his long-time collaborator who he has reunited with for the latest tour ‘Back and Forth’:

“We’ve known each other since we were 15-year-olds dressed as homies playing basketball. He’s my best friend. There’s no ego, no competition, just authenticity. It is so great to be working with him again”

Reflective. Confessional. Hopeful. Six speaks the way
he writes, unfiltered and human. And maybe that’s the real story. Not of a rapper returning to the stage,
but a story of self and being brave enough to embrace change.

You can see 360 and Pez perform live at Avalon Beach RSL Club on 12th Februrary 2026. This one will sell out quickly.

@3ree6ixty | Spotify: 360