In 2020, HotWax began self-releasing singles, including "Stay Cool", "Pat the Killer Cat", "When We're Dead", and "Barbie (Not Yours)"

The band signed to record label Marathon Artists while publishing via Transgressive Records. They then released their debut EP A Thousand Times in May 2023 with its lead single "Treasure", and subsequent EP Invite me, kindly. Then they had a gig supporting the Pearl Harts. In spring and summer 2023, the band went on to perform at a number of festivals, including the Great Escape Festival, Mad Cool, Louis Tomlinson's Away From Home Festival in Italy, All Points East, and the Reading and Leeds Festival They then opened for Royal Blood that autumn on tour in the UK and North America. At the end of 2023, HotWax were named one to watch in 2024 by The Independent.