GOLDEN SALT is the crossover duo based on the classical violin of Arianna Mazzarese and the powerful electric guitar and voice of Eleonora Loi. Arianna and Eleonora are also the founders and owners of their independent label Imperatrix, managing Golden Salt and its team.
Golden Salt has created a unique musical language instantly recognizable around the world, where virtuosity meets modern energy, and Italian artistic heritage collides with the raw spirit of rock. Today, Golden Salt has become a global music phenomenon, reaching over 1 million followers across social media and generating more than 30 million views on YouTube, with a loyal international fanbase spanning the entire globe.
THE STORY
Arianna and Eleonora met at the University of Florence, where they were both studying Physics and Astrophysics. Between classes, they discovered that they were both musicians, although they came from completely different worlds. Arianna came from the classical world of the conservatory, while Eleonora came from the rock and metal scene of her small hometown in Sardinia.
Fascinated by each other's musical backgrounds, they soon began playing together, starting with local events. Their first performances helped them pay for their university studies and build their independence. Infact, the duo quickly sparked curiosity and was enthusiastically booked by many who were drawn to the unusual combination of classical violin and electric guitar, as well as to the sense of lightness and fun that came from their challenge to standard conventions. But what began as a way to support themselves, soon became something much bigger than private events and performances.
Their passion for music videos grew alongside their creativity. After completing their degrees in Physics and Astrophysics, they decided to dedicate themselves fully to Golden Salt. To develop their artistic vision and learn how to express it through both sound and image, they deepened their knowledge of audio and video production, studying in professional studios and audio production academies.
THE MEANING OF GOLDEN SALT
Arianna and Eleonora have always been committed to the fight for civil and human rights. Their original name was The Price of Salt, inspired by Patricia Highsmith's courageous novel, which dared to tell the love story of two women and give it a happy ending at a time when this was almost unthinkable, in the middle of the 20th century. When they decided to turn their duo into a full-time project, they chose to change the name to Golden Salt. The new name evolution represents the meeting of opposites: gold, something precious and elevated, and salt, something simple and essential, connected to work and everyday life. Together, they form an oxymoron that reflects the idea behind the duo: dare to bring together things that seem far apart and turning their differences into something new, without fear. At the same time, Golden Salt is the salt of life for those who have the courage to fight for human and civil rights. "If a violin and an electric guitar can coexist in the same duo and create something new, why can’t anyone?"
This is the meaning behind their name and one of the ideas at the heart of their journey.
FROM COVERS TO ORIGINAL MUSIC
Golden Salt soon went viral through some of their first music videos, bringing the duo to audiences around the world. After an early period focused on covers, including the viral “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica, “Fear of the Dark” by Iron Maiden and “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics, Arianna and Eleonora decided to take the next step and focus on creating their own original music.
After releasing their first album, Iron Feathers (2021), which collected some of their most successful covers, Golden Salt moved in a new direction with Barock (2022), their second album, made entirely of original Golden Salt compositions.
Their third album, Ruins of Silence (2025), marked another important step in the project's evolution. For the first time, vocals were added to Golden Salt's original music, introducing a new dimension to the sound and to Eleonora Loi's artistic role within the project.
Along this journey, Golden Salt has also received several international recognitions as composers, including an Honorable Mention at the 2021 International Songwriting Competition for their track “Black Feather.”
INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES
Golden Salt's music has taken them to international events and performances for major organizations and brands. In 2026, Golden Salt was an official performer for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. That same year, Golden Salt also performed for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
In 2025, Golden Salt was also selected as a semifinalist for the San Marino Eurovision Song Contest with their original song “Step Down.”
In the same year, Golden Salt headlined the Echoes of Ruins Tour, presenting their original music to audiences across Europe. They have also performed for internationally renowned organizations and brands including UEFA, Pirelli, Volkswagen and Magic, bringing their crossover music to international events and exclusive performances.
INDEPENDENCE & WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION
As independent artists, Arianna and Eleonora are the founders and owners of Imperatrix, their independent label through which they manage Golden Salt's artistic vision, productions, touring activities and international collaborations. Through Imperatrix, Golden Salt's CDs and vinyl editions are distributed worldwide through an established international physical and digital distribution network, making their music available through retail channels, online stores and streaming platforms.
DISCOGRAPHY
Iron Feathers · 2021
The debut album collecting some of Golden Salt's most successful covers and introducing their crossover identity.
Barock · 2022
An entirely original concept album blending baroque influences with modern rock and cinematic production.
Ruins of Silence · 2025
Their third album and most ambitious original work to date, featuring orchestral arrangements, contemporary production and, for the first time, vocals.
RECOGNITIONS
Golden Salt's work has received international awards and recognitions for music performance, composition, innovation and visual storytelling. Their music brings together classical music, rock, metal and cinematic elements, continuing to evolve through original music, live performances and visual projects.
GOLDEN SALT MESSAGE
Today, Golden Salt is the world’s most famous Italian crossover duo. Their message of courage, the fight for human rights and the breaking down of barriers has reached and inspired people around the world. Through their music and their story, Golden Salt conveys the idea that the salt of life often comes from what we do not expect, from the differences we encounter and from the paths we have the courage to explore. The salt of life is the journey itself. To pursue your dreams is already to begin making them a reality. GOLDEN SALT® is also a registered international trademark, More than a band, Golden Salt is an artistic universe where Italian classical elegance, rock-metal attitude, cinematic emotion and contemporary performance dare to meet. At its heart is a simple idea: different worlds do not have to remain apart. Sometimes, it is precisely from the differences that something new can begin.
Golden Salt has created a unique musical language instantly recognizable around the world, where virtuosity meets modern energy, and Italian artistic heritage collides with the raw spirit of rock. Today, Golden Salt has become a global music phenomenon, reaching over 1 million followers across social media and generating more than 30 million views on YouTube, with a loyal international fanbase spanning the entire globe.
THE STORY
Arianna and Eleonora met at the University of Florence, where they were both studying Physics and Astrophysics. Between classes, they discovered that they were both musicians, although they came from completely different worlds. Arianna came from the classical world of the conservatory, while Eleonora came from the rock and metal scene of her small hometown in Sardinia.
Fascinated by each other's musical backgrounds, they soon began playing together, starting with local events. Their first performances helped them pay for their university studies and build their independence. Infact, the duo quickly sparked curiosity and was enthusiastically booked by many who were drawn to the unusual combination of classical violin and electric guitar, as well as to the sense of lightness and fun that came from their challenge to standard conventions. But what began as a way to support themselves, soon became something much bigger than private events and performances.
Their passion for music videos grew alongside their creativity. After completing their degrees in Physics and Astrophysics, they decided to dedicate themselves fully to Golden Salt. To develop their artistic vision and learn how to express it through both sound and image, they deepened their knowledge of audio and video production, studying in professional studios and audio production academies.
THE MEANING OF GOLDEN SALT
Arianna and Eleonora have always been committed to the fight for civil and human rights. Their original name was The Price of Salt, inspired by Patricia Highsmith's courageous novel, which dared to tell the love story of two women and give it a happy ending at a time when this was almost unthinkable, in the middle of the 20th century. When they decided to turn their duo into a full-time project, they chose to change the name to Golden Salt. The new name evolution represents the meeting of opposites: gold, something precious and elevated, and salt, something simple and essential, connected to work and everyday life. Together, they form an oxymoron that reflects the idea behind the duo: dare to bring together things that seem far apart and turning their differences into something new, without fear. At the same time, Golden Salt is the salt of life for those who have the courage to fight for human and civil rights. "If a violin and an electric guitar can coexist in the same duo and create something new, why can’t anyone?"
This is the meaning behind their name and one of the ideas at the heart of their journey.
FROM COVERS TO ORIGINAL MUSIC
Golden Salt soon went viral through some of their first music videos, bringing the duo to audiences around the world. After an early period focused on covers, including the viral “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica, “Fear of the Dark” by Iron Maiden and “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics, Arianna and Eleonora decided to take the next step and focus on creating their own original music.
After releasing their first album, Iron Feathers (2021), which collected some of their most successful covers, Golden Salt moved in a new direction with Barock (2022), their second album, made entirely of original Golden Salt compositions.
Their third album, Ruins of Silence (2025), marked another important step in the project's evolution. For the first time, vocals were added to Golden Salt's original music, introducing a new dimension to the sound and to Eleonora Loi's artistic role within the project.
Along this journey, Golden Salt has also received several international recognitions as composers, including an Honorable Mention at the 2021 International Songwriting Competition for their track “Black Feather.”
INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES
Golden Salt's music has taken them to international events and performances for major organizations and brands. In 2026, Golden Salt was an official performer for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. That same year, Golden Salt also performed for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
In 2025, Golden Salt was also selected as a semifinalist for the San Marino Eurovision Song Contest with their original song “Step Down.”
In the same year, Golden Salt headlined the Echoes of Ruins Tour, presenting their original music to audiences across Europe. They have also performed for internationally renowned organizations and brands including UEFA, Pirelli, Volkswagen and Magic, bringing their crossover music to international events and exclusive performances.
INDEPENDENCE & WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION
As independent artists, Arianna and Eleonora are the founders and owners of Imperatrix, their independent label through which they manage Golden Salt's artistic vision, productions, touring activities and international collaborations. Through Imperatrix, Golden Salt's CDs and vinyl editions are distributed worldwide through an established international physical and digital distribution network, making their music available through retail channels, online stores and streaming platforms.
DISCOGRAPHY
Iron Feathers · 2021
The debut album collecting some of Golden Salt's most successful covers and introducing their crossover identity.
Barock · 2022
An entirely original concept album blending baroque influences with modern rock and cinematic production.
Ruins of Silence · 2025
Their third album and most ambitious original work to date, featuring orchestral arrangements, contemporary production and, for the first time, vocals.
RECOGNITIONS
Golden Salt's work has received international awards and recognitions for music performance, composition, innovation and visual storytelling. Their music brings together classical music, rock, metal and cinematic elements, continuing to evolve through original music, live performances and visual projects.
GOLDEN SALT MESSAGE
Today, Golden Salt is the world’s most famous Italian crossover duo. Their message of courage, the fight for human rights and the breaking down of barriers has reached and inspired people around the world. Through their music and their story, Golden Salt conveys the idea that the salt of life often comes from what we do not expect, from the differences we encounter and from the paths we have the courage to explore. The salt of life is the journey itself. To pursue your dreams is already to begin making them a reality. GOLDEN SALT® is also a registered international trademark, More than a band, Golden Salt is an artistic universe where Italian classical elegance, rock-metal attitude, cinematic emotion and contemporary performance dare to meet. At its heart is a simple idea: different worlds do not have to remain apart. Sometimes, it is precisely from the differences that something new can begin.
ARIANNA MAZZARESE
Arianna Mazzarese is a violinist, author and composer.
She began playing the violin at the age of six. As a child she was admitted to the L. Cherubini Conservatory in Florence, where in 2013 she obtained a ten-year diploma in violin. She also studied composition there. She further honed her skills as a violinist at the Fiesole School of Music with the international concert artist, William Chiquito. She performed in major Italian theaters and was accepted through auditions into youth orchestras such as the National Conservatories Orchestra and the Italian Youth Orchestra. She graduated from a scientific high school with a perfect score of 100/100. In 2018, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Physics and Astrophysics from the University of Florence.
Then she decided to dedicate herself full-time to the Golden Salt project, alongside Eleonora Loi. Together with Eleonora, she attended specialized courses in recording studios at Labella Studio, earning the title of Sound Technician, and pursued a course in Electronic Production, Mixing, and Mastering, deepening her knowledge of Ableton Live and electronic music production. With the acquired skills, she started producing Golden Salt's content with the intention of building an international fanbase for the Golden Salt duo from scratch, aiming to perform live for international audiences.
Arianna is also an entrepreneur, producer, and owner of the Golden Salt Store, a videomaker, and a video-colorist. She has produced, edited, and colored the videos of the Golden Salt duo. In her personal life, she regularly practices sports and is a martial arts instructor with a third-dan black belt in Karate.
She began playing the violin at the age of six. As a child she was admitted to the L. Cherubini Conservatory in Florence, where in 2013 she obtained a ten-year diploma in violin. She also studied composition there. She further honed her skills as a violinist at the Fiesole School of Music with the international concert artist, William Chiquito. She performed in major Italian theaters and was accepted through auditions into youth orchestras such as the National Conservatories Orchestra and the Italian Youth Orchestra. She graduated from a scientific high school with a perfect score of 100/100. In 2018, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Physics and Astrophysics from the University of Florence.
Then she decided to dedicate herself full-time to the Golden Salt project, alongside Eleonora Loi. Together with Eleonora, she attended specialized courses in recording studios at Labella Studio, earning the title of Sound Technician, and pursued a course in Electronic Production, Mixing, and Mastering, deepening her knowledge of Ableton Live and electronic music production. With the acquired skills, she started producing Golden Salt's content with the intention of building an international fanbase for the Golden Salt duo from scratch, aiming to perform live for international audiences.
Arianna is also an entrepreneur, producer, and owner of the Golden Salt Store, a videomaker, and a video-colorist. She has produced, edited, and colored the videos of the Golden Salt duo. In her personal life, she regularly practices sports and is a martial arts instructor with a third-dan black belt in Karate.
ELEONORA LOI
Eleonora Loi is a guitarist, singer, DJ, author, composer and producer.
She embarked on her musical journey at the age of seven, taking singing and piano lessons with the Choir Città di Oristano. At the age of 12, she began studying electric guitar, taking lessons in folk-rock and metal guitar. She later founded her first rock band named Sindrome Acustica, which performed in the Sardinian region. After graduating with honors from high school, she moved to Florence to study Physics and Astrophysics. In Florence, she met Arianna, with whom she formed the duo "Violin & Electric Guitar". Together, they performed throughout Italy with their duo. Thanks to their artistic endeavors, they were able to fund their studies and achieve financial independence while attending university. In 2018, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Physics and Astrophysics and decided to dedicate herself full-time to the Golden Salt duo.
Eleonora and Arianna attended courses in recording studios such as Labella Studio, earning the title of Sound Technicians, and pursued a course in Electronic Production, Mixing, and Mastering, deepening their knowledge of Ableton Live and electronic music production. Eleonora Loi further specialized as a producer by taking advanced music production courses at the MAT Academy, including Producer Academy, Luca Pretolesi Advanced Club Mix, Luca Pretolesi Advanced Techniques, Ableton Masterclass (Ableton Live 11), and Giuliano Radiciotti Excellence Mastering. Eleonora Loi handled the mixing and mastering of all Golden Salt tracks and both Golden Salt albums, including the vinyl versions. She has practiced martial arts since childhood and is now a karate instructor with a fourth-degree black belt.
She embarked on her musical journey at the age of seven, taking singing and piano lessons with the Choir Città di Oristano. At the age of 12, she began studying electric guitar, taking lessons in folk-rock and metal guitar. She later founded her first rock band named Sindrome Acustica, which performed in the Sardinian region. After graduating with honors from high school, she moved to Florence to study Physics and Astrophysics. In Florence, she met Arianna, with whom she formed the duo "Violin & Electric Guitar". Together, they performed throughout Italy with their duo. Thanks to their artistic endeavors, they were able to fund their studies and achieve financial independence while attending university. In 2018, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Physics and Astrophysics and decided to dedicate herself full-time to the Golden Salt duo.
Eleonora and Arianna attended courses in recording studios such as Labella Studio, earning the title of Sound Technicians, and pursued a course in Electronic Production, Mixing, and Mastering, deepening their knowledge of Ableton Live and electronic music production. Eleonora Loi further specialized as a producer by taking advanced music production courses at the MAT Academy, including Producer Academy, Luca Pretolesi Advanced Club Mix, Luca Pretolesi Advanced Techniques, Ableton Masterclass (Ableton Live 11), and Giuliano Radiciotti Excellence Mastering. Eleonora Loi handled the mixing and mastering of all Golden Salt tracks and both Golden Salt albums, including the vinyl versions. She has practiced martial arts since childhood and is now a karate instructor with a fourth-degree black belt.
