For Matt Colwell – better known as 360 – the road to his fifth studio album has been long and arduous.
Up until this point, he’s faced battles that nearly took everything from him – addiction, breakups, breakdowns, self-destruction, an overdose backstage, and a moment of rock bottom so dark he barely recognises himself in it now – but from those depths, he’s emerged with a healthy new lifestyle, a renewed sense of purpose, a faith that has reshaped his entire outlook on life, and a new album, set to release on July 11th.
Eight years have passed since his last full-length album, Vintage Modern, and it’s fair to say his forthcoming record, titled Out of the Blue, isn’t just a return to music – it’s a declaration of survival.
“Life has just been taking all sorts of twists and turns,” he reflects. “I went to rehab about five years ago for about four months. I was on all this hectic stuff like methadone and Clonazepam. The last five years have basically just been me trying to wean off all the other medications I was on and get myself to a place where I’m off everything.”
His lowest point came before rehab, when drug addiction had completely consumed him. On more than one occasion, the ARIA-winning artist found himself on the floor of a public toilet eating pills, regularly consuming 90 painkillers a day. “And when I threw them up, I ate them again,” he admits. “That’s how bad it got. I had no respect for myself. I hated myself.”
Then came the wake-up call. On tour promoting third album Utopia in 2015, he collapsed backstage after an overdose. “That forced my hand,” he says. “I had to come clean to my family, to my crew. I couldn’t hide it anymore.”
The recovery process was slow, gruelling, and at times, seemed impossible. But in the years that followed, Colwell did more than just get sober, he found something he never expected: faith.
“I never expected to become a Christian, but here we are,” he says with a chuckle. “When I look back at my life, I feel like it was what I was looking for this whole time. I was always chasing something – sex, drugs, alcohol, success; anything that would bring me joy, but it never lasted. Now, with faith, it’s different. It’s not fleeting.”
This conversion wasn’t forced through recovery programs, although elements of the 12-step journey aligned with his personal experience. Instead, it was a slow realisation, one that unfolded as he questioned the bigger picture.
“I spent my life thinking there was no real meaning to it all, so I just lived for the next high, the next thrill,” Colwell explains. “But once I gave my life to God, it was like I found what I was looking for. It lit a fire in me.”
This new outlook has undoubtedly shaped his music. His upcoming album features a mix of introspection and classic 360 storytelling, with collaborations that showcase both his signature sound and his evolution as an artist.
One standout collaboration is “Someone Else’s Dime”, featuring Conrad Sewell. “Conrad’s voice is insane. He really reminds me of an Aussie Michael Jackson. He smashed that track,” Colwell raves. “The song has almost a country vibe, which I never expected to lean into, but it just worked.”
Other tracks dive deeper into his faith, none more so than “Sodom & Gomorrah”, a song that emerged from his frustration with the way Christianity is often portrayed in mainstream culture.
“I wasn’t even fully Christian when I wrote it,” he explains. “I watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics, and they mocked the Last Supper. That hit me. Even though I’ve been standoffish about religion before, I’ve always believed that faith – any faith – deserves respect. People wouldn’t do that to Islam or Judaism, so why is Christianity fair game?”
As always, storytelling remains at the core of his songwriting. However, Colwell notes that fans often assume every song is autobiographical.
“I write from experience, but I also write from other people’s perspectives,” he says. “I put myself in their shoes. A lot of the songs on this album aren’t actually about me, but people will assume they are.”
It’s a phenomenon he’s experienced before, with tracks like “Tiny Angel” leaving many listeners convinced they were about his own life, when in reality they were built from stories he had absorbed. The same can be expected from this record, which blends his personal experiences with observations of the world around him.
The album also sees Colwell reuniting with longtime collaborator Pez, who will be joining him on tour. Their chemistry remains undeniable, extending beyond the studio and into their new venture: an as yet unreleased podcast, The Forthwrite Podcast.
“We’ve recorded five episodes so far, and it just flows,” he says. “We’ve been mates for so long, and we’re both at such different points in our lives now. It’s been amazing just sitting down and talking about it all.”
With the first round of tour dates announced, Colwell is determined to approach life on the road differently this time around. Gone are the days of cramming shows back-to-back in an exhausting sprint to maximise profits; now, it’s about balance.
“I used to burn myself out. By the end of a tour, I’d be so mentally wrecked that I’d just disappear,” he says. “Now, I build in breaks, I take care of my health, and I don’t let myself get to that point.”
Fitness has become a crucial part of his routine, not just for his physical health but also as a way to stay mentally sharp. A fan of kickboxing, Colwell has been keen to increase his fitness levels to the point where he can get through an energetic two-hour set without skipping a beat. And he promises he’s almost there.
“Before a show, I’ll do a crazy workout – almost to the point of throwing up. It sounds counterintuitive, but it actually makes me feel amazing. It’s like a natural high,” he laughs. “This set is probably about an hour fifteen or so, and it’s easy to get through, so maybe two hours isn’t so far away now.”
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While the setlist is still under wraps, Colwell knows one thing for certain – he’ll never escape “Boys Like You”.
“If I didn’t play it, people would probably lynch me,” he jokes about his biggest commercial hit. “But honestly, I’ve made peace with it. That song changed my life.”
His perspective on success has changed dramatically since those early days when fame, money, and accolades felt like the ultimate goal.
“I thought if I made it as a musician, I’d be set. But even when I hit those milestones, the satisfaction didn’t last,” he admits. “Now I’m in a place where I don’t need external validation. My happiness comes from something real.”
As he steps back into the spotlight, Colwell isn’t chasing chart-topping hits or the party-fuelled chaos of his past. He’s here to connect, to share his journey, and to embrace his second chance.
“I can honestly say I love where I’m at now,” he says. “It took a lot to get here, but I wouldn’t change a thing.”
360’s Out of the Blue is out July 11th (pre-order here). Find 360’s upcoming tour dates here.
