Daniels, The Shins

I know you don't want to make music videos, but Daniels does a great job integrating story with the music/band playing. They're work is enjoyable. Fun to watch. Very quirky, interesting stories.

http://www.danieldaniel.us/WORK.html

They started like us: Motion guy + film guy interested in making cool shit. Started out with cheap cameras, then to 5D/7Ds, now REDS, now making commercials/music videos/films on their own. We got this.