It is very difficult for new artists to establish themselves and it's becoming harder and harder. Distributors have only so much room on their shelves. They have to make decisions and prioritize what they will carry. The chances are greater that they will carry something from someone or some label that they have carried in the past. That's an interesting question.
Fame is something that is relative.
I'm sure I have some degree of notoriety to certain people in certain circles, particularly in Europe. Whether or not that constitutes fame, I don't know. I suppose the one thing that people might always associate me with is the fact that I'm from the heartland of America, which is not always known for people who consistently release music, especially in the style that I do. It never seemed to have bothered the B-52's to come from Athens, Georgia or Nine Inch Nails to come from Cleveland, Ohio. You were involved with Digital Sex, Missionary Position, and now it's The World, and you have released EP's and CDs under your own name, as well.