The monthly BEAT: Pasadena. Make Music Pasadena.

All month in our new neighborhood series the monthly BEAT, we've been focusing on some spots special to Pasadena. Now I've got a reason for you to come back to the area later.

June 18th, to be specific. That's the date for Make Music Pasadena, a free music festival set right in the heart of the city. The festival is relatively new, but this year is already boasting a huge and awesome lineup, including Best Coast, Ra Ra Riot, The Morning Benders, Kisses, Zola Jesus, and much much more. And did I mention that it's all free??

Seriously too good to pass up. The bands will be spread out across different stages around the area, outside restaurants and stores, so this'll be the perfect chance to check out 21 Choices or the PMCAor all the other wonderful Pasadena wonders. Oh, and the great music on hand too. Happy Pasadena-ing!

Get more info onMake Music Pasadena here.

--Chau Tu

Check It. "All Summer" by Kid Cudi, Best Coast and Rostam Batmanglij [The Monday Download].

If you're already sick of hearing Katy Perry sing about Daisy Dukes, it's time to hit up Converse's website for a new summer tune perfect for open-car-window blasting.

Yes, Converse--the shoe brand that's provided your reliable foot wardrobe for decades is now regularly producing musical collaborations. Last year they got together Julian Casablancas, Santigold and N.E.R.D. for the rather bizarre "My Drive-Thru," but this time around, the random threesome of Kid Cudi, Best Coast and Rostam Batmanglij (of Vampire Weekend) has worked out a lot better.

It's still really random, and I still don't quite understand the point, but either way, "All Summer" is worthy of making the summer playlists this year. You can download the song at Converse's website or take a listen by streaming here.

-- Chau Tu

Do It. Waved Out Festival and KSCR Fest.

Two all-day, all-ages music festivals touting the best in rising bands--plus food and other fun happenings to spare--for a grand total of $10? Welcome to the best weekend of your life, or otherwise known as March 27 and 28, the days of the Waved Out Festival and KSCR Fest, respectively.

But in all seriousness--this weekend is set to be one to remember. First up is the Waved Out Fest on Saturday, where ten bands are lined up to play the stages at both the Echo and the Echoplex, and the headliners are none other than fresh-off-SXSW-buzz bands Best Coast and Surfer Blood.

Best Coast is a female-headed, California beach-loving (you knew what they meant by 'Best') fuzz-pop group with a lot of reverb mixed with a lot of sentiment worthy of singing along to. Surfer Blood started out as a guilty pleasure for me, until I gave in and realized just how great they could be. They're East Coasters (south Florida, to be exact), but they've got enough laid-back surf-rock gems and soaring guitar solos to make them right at home here.

Considering the fest is being presented by vet music bloggers Aquarium Drunkard, and with the SXSW buzz building fast, there's no better time to catch these bands at a great venue like this. And all only for $10!

Remember to save up your energy though, because Sunday boasts the FREE KSCR Fest over at my alma mater USC (fight on!). Here we've got seven up-and-comers, led by SF noise pop band Thee Oh Sees. My pick in the line-up is local (by way of Santa Monica) band Princeton, who make sweet, shoe-gazey pop with a lot of genuine heart. Though young, they've been making music for a while, always on the cusp of something bigger, so grab your chance to see them now.

Plus, the delicious-sounding Coolhaus ice cream truck will be around, a perfect complement to a wonderful warm afternoon sprawling outside on a beautiful campus (really!), listening to some great tunes.

Just another great weekend in Los Angeles...

The Waved Out Festival will begin at 3:30pm on Saturday at the Echoplex at 1154 Glendale Blvd. in Echo Park, and the KSCR Fest will be in Founder's Park at USC at 3551 Trousdale Pkwy. near downtown starting at 4pm on Sunday.

-- Chau Tu