Here’s an intensely nerdy video to kickstart your week! The video below (from the SXSW conference) shows ArcAttack, a band/performance art project in which custom-designed Tesla Coils are tuned and fired in sequence to create music. The band describes their project thusly:

ArcAttack employs a unique DJ set up of their own creation (an HVDJ set up) to generate an ‘electrifying’ audio visual performance. The HVDJ pumps music through a PA System while two specially designed DRSSTC’s (Dual-Resonant Solid State Tesla Coils) act as separate synchronized instruments.

These high tech machines produce an electrical arc similar to a continuous lightning bolt which put out a crisply distorted square wave sound reminiscent of the early days of synthesizers. The music consists of original highly dance-able electronic compositions that sometimes incorporates themes or dub of popular songs.

So basically they’re creating music with lightning. In this video, a mashup of JT’s “Sexyback” and the “Legend of Zelda Theme” from everyone’s favorite 8-bit Nintendo cartridge. Enjoy. (Warning: kind of insane.)

SexyBack vs. Legend of Zelda Theme on Two Tesla Coils from Trammell on Vimeo.

Watch it in HD at Vimeo. See also: ArcAttack on YouTube. (Don’t miss the “Back to the Future Theme” and a rendition of the Star Wars “Imperial March” with a live conductor in a Faraday suit.)

(Via Waxy.org.)