In the same year he published monograph on Max Scheler and sociology of knowledge (Pavergto mąstymo problema: Maxas Scheleris ir žinojimo sociologijos ištakos; ISBN 9986-638-65-8).
In 2007, he received a research fellowship from UNESCO and Keizō Obuchi to study of the University of Hawaii.
He was vocals in a band called Pėdsakai (Footprints) from 1998 until 2001, when he decided to start a solo career.
Nevertheless, he was allowed to represent Lithuania with the song Happy You at the international final in Tallinn because the winners B'Avarija were disqualified.
Since then, Stepukonis has released three solo albums: eponymous Aivaras, Myliu arba tyliu, and Sage & Fool.